Method and system, with component kits for designing or deploying a communications network which considers frequency dependent effects

ABSTRACT

A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatibility for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to the co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/352,678 filed Jul. 14, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,499,006; Ser. No. 09/318,840 filed May 26, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.6,317,599; Ser. No. 09/318,841 filed May 26, 1999; and Ser. No.09/318,842 filed May 26, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,679; and is alsorelated to the concurrently filed applications having U.S. Ser. No.09/632,853, entitled “Method and System for Designing or Deploying aCommunications Network which Considers Component Attributes”; and Ser.No. 09/633,133, entitled “Method and System for Designing or Deploying aCommunications Network which Allows the Simultaneous Selection ofMultiple Components”, all of which are assigned to a common assignee,and the subject matter of these applications is incorporated herein byreference.

DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to engineering andmanagement systems for the design of communications networks (bothwireless and wired) and, more particularly, to a system and method formanaging a real time bill of materials when designing, evaluating oroptimizing the performance and/or costs of a communication system usinga three-dimensional (3-D) representation of the environment. The presentinvention provides the design engineer with the ability to (1) groupcomponents together as a single connected or unconnected unit or“component kit” to simplify selection and assembly of hardwarecomponents, (2) have at his or her disposal in the Parts List Libraryperformance parameters for selected components which are associated withthe signal or “frequency” which will pass through the component suchthat electromechanical properties of the components can be considered ona frequency dependent basis automatically by the system, and (3) have athis or her disposal attributes which are associated with specificcomponents in the Parts List Library which, acting in concert withreal-time smart processing, provide the design engineer withnotifications or warnings when he or she has proposed connections,components, or other arrangements which will not operate correctly inthe communications network.

[0004] 2. Background Description

[0005] As wireless communications use increases, radio frequency (RF)coverage within buildings and signal penetration into buildings fromoutside transmitting sources has quickly become an important designissue for wireless engineers who must design and deploy cellulartelephone systems, paging systems, or new wireless systems andtechnologies such as personal communication networks or wireless localarea networks. Designers are frequently requested to determine if aradio transceiver location, or base station cell site can providereliable service throughout an entire city, an office, building, arenaor campus. A common problem for wireless systems is inadequate coverage,or a “dead zone,” in a specific location, such as a conference room. Itis now understood that an indoor wireless PBX (private branch exchange)system or wireless local area network (WLAN) can be rendered useless byinterference from nearby, similar systems. The costs of in-building andmicrocell devices which provide wireless coverage within a 2 kilometerradius are diminishing, and the workload for RF engineers andtechnicians to install these on-premises systems is increasing sharply.Rapid engineering design and deployment methods for microcell andin-building wireless systems are vital for cost-efficient build-out.

[0006] Analyzing radio signal coverage penetration and interference isof critical importance for a number of reasons. A design engineer mustdetermine if an existing outdoor large scale wireless system, ormacrocell, will provide sufficient coverage throughout a building, orgroup of buildings (i.e., a campus). Alternatively, wireless engineersmust determine whether local area coverage will be adequatelysupplemented by other existing macrocells, or whether indoor wirelesstransceivers, or picocells, must be added. The placement of these cellsis critical from both a cost and performance standpoint. If an indoorwireless system is being planned that interferes with signals from anoutdoor macrocell, the design engineer must predict how muchinterference can be expected and where it will manifest itself withinthe building, or group of buildings. Also, providing a wireless systemthat minimizes equipment infrastructure cost as well as installationcost is of significant economic importance. As in-building and microcellwireless systems proliferate, these issues must be resolved quickly,easily, and inexpensively, in a systematic and repeatable manner.

[0007] There are many computer aided design (CAD) products on the marketthat can be used to design the environment used in one's place ofbusiness or campus. WiSE from Lucent Technology, Inc., SignalPro fromEDX, PLAnet by Mobile Systems International, Inc., and TEMS and TEMSLight from Ericsson are examples of wireless CAD products. In practice,however, a pre-existing building or campus is designed only on paper anda database of parameters defining the environment does not readilyexist. It has been difficult, if not generally impossible, to gatherthis disparate information and manipulate the data for the purposes ofplanning and implementation of indoor and outdoor RF wirelesscommunication systems, and each new environment requires tedious manualdata formatting in order to run with computer generated wirelessprediction models. Recent research efforts by AT&T Laboratories,Brooklyn Polytechnic, and Virginia Tech, are described in papers andtechnical reports entitled “Radio Propagation Measurements andPrediction Using Three-dimensional Ray Tracing in Urban Environments at908 MHZ and 1.9 GHz,” (IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, VOL.48, No. 3, May 1999), by S. Kim, B. J. Guarino, Jr., T. M. Willis III,V. Erceg, S. J. Fortune, R. A. Valenzuela, L. W. Thomas, J. Ling, and J.D. Moore, (hereinafter “Radio Propagation”); “Achievable Accuracy ofSite-Specific Path-Loss Predictions in Residential Environments,” (IEEETransactions on Vehicular Technology, VOL. 48, No. 3, May 1999), by L.Piazzi and H. L. Bertoni; “Measurements and Models for Radio Path Lossand Penetration Loss In and Around Homes and Trees at 5.85 Ghz,” (IEEETransactions on Communications, Vol. 46, No. 11, November 1998), by G.Durgin, T. S. Rappaport, and H. Xu; “Radio Propagation PredictionTechniques and Computer-Aided Channel Modeling for Embedded WirelessMicrosystems,” ARPA Annual Report, MPRG Technical Report MPRG-TR-94-12,July 1994, 14 pp., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, by T. S. Rappaport, M. P.Koushik, J. C. Liberti, C. Pendyala, and T. P. Subramanian; “RadioPropagation Prediction Techniques and Computer-Aided Channel Modelingfor Embedded Wireless Microsystems,” MPRG Technical ReportMPRG-TR-95-08, July 1995, 13 pp., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, by T. S.Rappaport, M. P. Koushik, C. Carter, and M. Ahmed; “Use of TopographicMaps with Building Information to Determine Antenna Placements and GPSSatellite Coverage for Radio Detection & Tracking in UrbanEnvironments,” MPRG Technical Report MPRG-TR-95-14, Sep. 15, 1995, 27pp., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, by T. S. Rappaport, M. P. Koushik, M.Ahmed, C. Carter, B. Newhall, and N. Zhang; “Use of Topographic Mapswith Building Information to Determine Antenna Placement for RadioDetection and Tracking in Urban Environments,” MPRG Technical ReportMPRG-TR-95-19, November 1995, 184 pp., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, by M.Ahmed, K. Blankenship, C. Carter, P. Koushik, W. Newhall, R. Skidmore,N. Zhang and T. S. Rappaport; “A Comprehensive In-Building andMicrocellular Wireless Communications System Design Tool,”MPRG-TR-97-13, June 1997, 122 pp., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, by R. R.Skidmore and T. S. Rappaport; “Predicted Path Loss for Rosslyn, Va.,”MPRG-TR-94-20, Dec. 9, 1994, 19 pp., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, by S.Sandhu, P. Koushik, and T. S. Rappaport; “Predicted Path Loss forRosslyn, Va., Second set of predictions for ORD Project on Site SpecificPropagation Prediction” MPRG-TR-95-03, Mar. 5, 1995, 51 pp., VirginiaTech, Blacksburg, by S. Sandhu, P. Koushik, and T. S. Rappaport. Thesepapers and technical reports are illustrative of the state of the art insite-specific propagation modeling and show the difficulty in obtainingdatabases for city environments, such as Rosslyn, Virginia. While theabove papers describe a research comparison of measured vs. predictedsignal coverage, the works do not demonstrate a systematic, repeatableand fast methodology for creating an environmental database, nor do theyreport a method for analyzing system performance or visualizing andplacing various wireless equipment components that are required toprovide signals in the deployment of a wireless system in thatenvironment.

[0008] While there are many methods available for designing wirelessnetworks that provide adequate coverage, there is no easy method toensure that the system will be cost effective. For instance, even thoughthe coverage may be more than adequate, given the chosen wirelessinfrastructure components, the total cost of the system could beprohibitive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a rapid and automatedmethod for generating a bill of materials and cost information in realtime, as components for a desired wireless communication system arespecified and/or replaced by substitute components, while continuouslypredicting wireless system performance. This automatic method forcomparing the cost and performance of competing products or competingdesign methodologies, in real time, offers a significant value forwireless engineers and provides a marked improvement over present daytechniques.

[0010] It is another object of this invention to provide acommunications design engineer with a software tools which allow him orher to (1) group components together as a single unit or “component kit”to simplify selection and assembly of hardware components, (2) have athis or her disposal in the Parts List Library performance parameters forselected components which are associated with the signal or “frequency”which will pass through the component such that electromechanicalproperties of the components can be considered on a frequency dependentbasis either automatically or through the use of a prompt (i.e., thesebeing “frequency dependent characteristics”), and (3) have at his or herdisposal attributes which are associated with specific components in theParts List Library which, acting in concert with real-time smartprocessing, provide the design engineer with notifications or warningswhen he or she has proposed connections, components, or otherarrangements which will not operate correctly in the communicationsnetwork.

[0011] According to the invention, a design engineer builds a model ofthe desired wireless communications system and specifies each componentnecessary to provide sufficient or optimal system performance. A partslist is maintained, in real time, that contains a definition of eachsystem component and its associated performance and cost parameters.Using this method, the user is able to rapidly change the physicallocation of components within the wireless system in order toinvestigate alternative designs which may use different components, suchas antennas and cables; or use different RF distribution methods and/orvarious types of coaxial or optical splitter systems, etc. Costparameters include both component costs and installation costs. As thesystem is changed through a series of “what-if” scenarios, componentsare replaced with substitute components, cable lengths are modified,antenna systems and base stations are re-positioned to alternatelocations, etc.

[0012] Each time a component is added to or deleted from the systemmodel, the bill of materials is automatically updated and componentcosts, total costs, and altered system performance specifications areimmediately available to the design engineer. The designer may choose toswap components for less expensive components. The performancecharacteristics of the system are automatically updated as cost choicesare made to enable the designer to assess the changes in performance andcost at the same time.

[0013] The communications design engineer may group several componentstogether into a collection referred to as a “component kit”. Thereafter,he or she will need only select the “component kit” for inclusion in thecomputerized representation of the physical environment in which thecommunications network will be installed. These “component kits” couldbe custom designed by the design engineer or, alternatively, thesoftware package included in this system could have preselectedcomponents bundled as a “component kit”. The “component kits” allow thedesign engineer to more simply and quickly prepare models of thecommunications network since he or she will be able to selectessentially bundles of communications components at a time. The system;however, will be able to track all the attributes of all the componentsin the selected component kits, including all performance attributes,pricing information, and other physical attributes and maintenanceschedules, such that calculations will automatically consider theperformance criteria, pricing and compatibility for the system designedby the engineer. The component kits may be assembled in the same manneras an actual communication system, including the associated cabling anddistribution system, so that connections between components are alreadyset up when the kit is added into a system; this saves a great deal oftime for the engineer.

[0014] Various attributes of components will be associated with specificcomponents in the Parts List Library, such as, for example, whether acomponent is an optical component or one which requires radio signals.As another example, the length of cable in which a signal can propagatewithout unacceptable deterioration may be associated with the cable inthe parts list library. These attributes will be consideredautomatically by the system of this invention such that when a designengineer attempts to model connected components which are not properlyconnectable in the physical world, or when he or she attempts to use toolong a cable length, etc., the system will provide a warning that thesystem being designed will be inoperative or be otherwise flawed. Thiswill allow the designer to immediately recognize errors in design andcorrect for them during the design phase. Without such a facility,errors may not be discovered until installation or use of the system, atwhich point they are far more costly to repair.

[0015] Frequency dependent characteristics will also be associated withindividual components in the Parts List Library. This will allow thedesign engineer to automatically consider the effects of signalfrequency on the electrical performance of the designed communicationsnetwork. This feature is especially valuable in light of the fact thatmost of said components are specifically designed to function inmultiple frequency bands, with varying performance with respect tofrequency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will bebetter understood from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 shows an example of a simplified layout of a floor plan ofa building;

[0018]FIG. 2 shows effective penetration of Radio Frequency (RF)transmission into a building from a macrocell;

[0019]FIG. 3 shows a simplified layout of a floor plan of a buildingincluding an outdoor macrocell and an indoor base station;

[0020]FIG. 4 shows the layout of FIG. 3, but with a revised base stationdesigned to eliminate interference;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a general method used to design awireless communication network;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method used to generate estimatesbased on field measurements;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method used to match bestpropagation parameters with measured data;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for prediction;

[0025]FIGS. 9A and 9B together make up a detailed flow diagram of amethod to generate a design of a wireless network and determine itsadequacy;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing a method for using watch pointsduring antenna repositioning or modification;

[0027]FIG. 11 shows a simplified layout of a floor plan of a buildingwith a base station and watch points selected;

[0028]FIG. 12 shows a dialog box displaying the locations of theselected watch points and choices for display information;

[0029]FIG. 13 shows a simplified layout of a floor plan of a buildingwith a base station and initial RSSI values for the selected watchpoints;

[0030]FIG. 14 shows a simplified layout of a floor plan of a buildingwith a repositioned base station and changed RSSI values for theselected watch points;

[0031]FIG. 15 shows a simplified layout of a floor plan of a buildingwith a re-engineered base station and changed RSSI values for theselected watch points;

[0032]FIG. 16 shows a bill of materials summary for a drawing, accordingthe preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0033]FIG. 17 shows a bill of materials summary for a drawing aftercosts have been added to a database, according the preferred embodimentof the invention;

[0034]FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing the general method of thepresent invention;

[0035]FIG. 19 is a flow diagram showing the mechanisms for consideringthe effects of various attributes on and frequency characteristics onthe communications system design, and, as required for notifying thedesigner of any inherent design flaws;

[0036]FIG. 20 is a computer display showing the assembly of a “componentkit” according to the present invention; and

[0037]FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of a floor plan on which thecomponents of a “component kit” have been displayed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Designof Wireless Communication Systems

[0038] Using the present method, it is now possible to assess the RFenvironment in a systematic, organized fashion by quickly viewing signalstrength, or interference levels, or other wireless system performancemeasures. The current embodiment is designed specifically for use withthe SitePlanner™ suite of products available from Wireless ValleyCommunications, Inc. of Blacksburg, Va. However, it will be apparent toone skilled in the art that the method could be practiced with otherproducts either now known or to be developed in the future. (SitePlanneris a trademark of Wireless Valley Communications, Inc.)

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a two-dimensional (2-D)simplified example of a layout of a building floor plan. The method uses3-D computer aided design (CAD) renditions of a building, or acollection of buildings and/or surrounding terrain and foliage. However,for simplicity of illustration a 2-D figure is used. The variousphysical objects within the environment such as external walls 101,internal walls 102 and floors 103 are assigned appropriate physical,electrical, and aesthetic values. For example, outside walls 101 may begiven a 10 dB attenuation loss, signals passing through interior walls102 may be assigned 3 dB attenuation loss, and windows 104 may show a 2dB RF penetration loss. In addition to attenuation, the obstructions101, 102 and 103 are assigned other properties including reflectivityand surface roughness.

[0040] Estimated partition electrical properties loss values can beextracted from extensive propagation measurements already published,which are deduced from field experience, or the partition losses of aparticular object can be measured directly and optimized instantly usingthe present invention combined with those methods described in thecopending application Ser. No. 09/221,985, entitled “System for Creatinga Computer Model and Measurement Database of a Wireless CommunicationNetwork” filed by T. S. Rappaport and R. R. Skidmore. Once theappropriate physical and electrical parameters are specified, anydesired number of hardware components of RF sources can be placed in the3-D building database, and received signal strengths (RSSI), networkthroughput, bit or frame or packet error rate, network delay, orcarrier-to-interference (C/I), carrier-to-noise (C/N), or chip energy tointerference (E_(c)/I_(o)) ratios can be plotted directly onto the CADdrawing. The 3-D environment database could be built by a number ofmethods, the preferred method being disclosed in the concurrently filed,copending application Ser. No. 09/318,841. Traffic capacity analysis,frequency planning, co-channel interference analysis can be performed inthe invention along with RF coverage. Other system performance metricsmay be easily incorporated by one skilled in the art through well knownequations.

[0041]FIG. 2 depicts effective RF penetration into the building from thedistant macrocell using a close-in virtual macrocell transmitting intothe lossless distributed antenna.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, there are several windows 104, and even alarge glass foyer 105, on the north wall of the building, so RFpenetration into this part of the building is quite good, as shown bycontour lines 108 and 109 for 0 dB and −30 dB, respectively. Even so,interior walls 102 cause signal levels in some areas to drop below aminimum useable signal strength of about −90 dBm, especially in some ofthe southern rooms, as shown by contour line 110. Consequently,macrocell coverage there will probably be poor.

[0043] Other outdoor macrocells can be modeled in the same way, andtheir signal strength contours plotted, to determine if hand-offs cancompensate for the inadequacies of the macrocell north of the building.If not, then indoor picocells (and their distributed feed systems,antennas, and antenna patterns) can be easily added if necessary, andtheir performance checked using the method, to complement coverageprovided by the macrocells.

[0044] The mathematical propagation models used to predict and optimizeantenna positioning in a desired environment may include a number ofpredictive techniques models, such as those described in the previouslycited and following technical reports and papers: “Interactive CoverageRegion and System Design Simulation for Wireless Communication Systemsin Multi-floored Indoor Environments, SMT Plus,” IEEE ICUPC '96Proceedings, by R. R. Skidmore, T. S. Rappaport, and L. Abbott which ishereby incorporated by reference. Some simple models are also brieflydescribed in “SitePlanner 3.16 for Windows 95/98/NT User's Manual”(Wireless Valley Communications, Inc. 1999), hereby incorporated byreference. It would be apparent to one skilled in the art how to applyother system performance models to this method.

[0045] Interference, instead of radio signal strength, is the dominantperformance-limiting factor in many situations due to increased wirelesscommunications use. Modeling interference from any source to anestablished or contemplated wireless system is straightforward using themethod. Suppose, for example, that an indoor wireless communicationsystem is assigned a frequency set identical to that of an outdoorwireless system. Although the indoor system may provide sufficient RSSIthroughout its coverage area, interference from the outside system maystill render the indoor wireless system ineffectual in certain parts ofthe building.

[0046] Caution must be used, however, when modeling and analyzinginterference, since the detrimental effect may also depend upontechnologies and/or signal processing technologies, not just signalpower levels. For example, a geographic area could have similarnarrowband and/or wideband in the 800 MHZ cellular bands, for instancewith Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) systems, but users using either technology may be able tocoexist if their respective demodulation processes reject interferenceprovided by the undesired system. The current embodiment of thisinvention allows the user to select the air interface/technology beingused by the wireless system being designed and automatically adjusts theprediction of interference accordingly.

[0047]FIG. 3 shows another rendition of the office building example, butan indoor wireless system 107 has been added. In this example, 800 MHZAMPS technology is assigned to both transmitters 106 and 107. Differingwireless standards and technologies such as CDMA and Global SystemMobile (GSM) could have been selected as well. The present inventionuses a database to represent the exact physical air interface standardsof a wide range of technologies and may be easily edited for futureinterface standards. As new technologies are developed, one skilled inthe art could easily modify this invention to include the newtechnologies.

[0048] The outdoor wireless system 106 is now interfering with theindoor network, and the effect is checked by plotting C/I contours 111and 112 at 0 dB and-30 dB, respectively, for the outdoor system and alsoplotting C/I contours 113 and 114 at 0 dB and-30 dB for the indoorsystem. The 0 dB contour 114 shows where the desired and interferingsignal levels are equal, so the interfering outdoor system's signalpredominates in areas outside this contour. It is obvious that theindoor network is rendered useless throughout many parts of thebuilding. There are a number of possible solutions that may be analyzedby a designer using the present invention.

[0049] One solution is to change the indoor system's antenna location orincrease the transmitted power, add more nodes, or select a differentfrequency set. These changes may be made with the simple click of amouse in the method of the invention, so that new channel sets, antennalocations, or alternative antenna systems (such as in-buildingdistributed systems, directional antennas, or leaky feeders) may beevaluated quickly, thereby eliminating guesswork and/or costly on-siteexperimentation with actual hardware. Instead of displaying contours ofcoverage or interference, the present invention also allows the user tospecify fixed or moveable watch points that indicate or displaypredicted performance in extremely rapid fashion at specific points inthe environment.

[0050] For example, FIG. 4 illustrates how the same indoor wirelesssystem of FIG. 3 can provide adequate C/I protection when connected to adistributed indoor antenna system consisting of a two-way splitter 401(3 dB loss+insertion loss) and two 40 foot cable runs 402 to popularcommercial indoor omnidirectional antennas 403. A look at the new 0 dBcontour lines 111 and 215, and −30 dB contour lines 112 a and 216 showthat the coverage inside the building is now adequate; the outdoorsystem 106 no longer causes significant interference in most parts ofthe building. Watch points allow a user to instantly determine spotcoverage or other system performance without having to wait for thecomputation and display of contour plots.

[0051] The method allows any type of distributed antenna system to bemodeled within seconds, while continuously monitoring and analyzing thecomponent and installation cost and resulting link budget, as disclosedbelow, enabling “what-if” designs to be carried out on the fly withminimum guess work and wasted time. It is clear that while an RF systemis shown and described herein, the same concepts may be applied to anycommunications network, with a wide range of distribution methods andcomponents.

[0052] In the present embodiment of the invention, the designeridentifies locations in the 3-D environmental database where certainlevels of wireless system performance are desirable or critical. Theselocations, termed “watch points”, are points in three-dimensional spacewhich the designer identifies by visually pointing and/or clicking witha mouse or other input device at the desired location in the 3-Denvironmental database. Any number of such watch points may be placedthroughout the 3-D environment at any location. Watch points may bedesignated prior to performing a performance prediction on a givenwireless communication system, or may be dynamically created by the userat any time during the course of a wireless system performancecalculation using the same point and click technique described above.

[0053] Watch points provide graphical and/or textual feedback to adesigner regarding the wireless system performance throughout theenvironment. Depending on the type of visual feedback desired by thedesigner, watch points may take the form of one or more of thefollowing:

[0054] A computed number displayed as text that represents receivedsignal strength (RSSI), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frame error rate (FER), bit error rate(BER), or other wireless system performance metrics;

[0055] A small region of solid color whose shade and/or tint variesrelative to some computed wireless system performance metric;

[0056] Colored lines linking the watch point location with the locationone or more antennas in the wireless communication system, where thecolor, thickness, and/or other physical aspect of the connecting linevaries relative to some computed wireless system performance metric anddependent upon whether the forward or reverse wireless system channel isbeing analyzed;

[0057] Other form designated by the designer; or

[0058] Any combination of the above.

[0059] In all cases, the graphical and/or textual representation of eachwatch point is updated in real-time as a result of the instantaneouscomputation of the wireless system performance metrics, which are linkedto the 3-D environmental database, and initiated due to dynamic changesbeing made to the wireless system configuration and/or watch pointposition itself by the user. For example, if the user repositions anantenna using the mouse or other input device, the effect of doing so onthe overall wireless system performance is computed and the results aredisplayed via changes in the appearance of watch points. In addition,numerical values predicted at the watch points are displayed in summaryin a dialog window and written to a text file for later analysis. Thisprocess is described in greater detail in the following sections.

[0060] The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a 3-Denvironmental database containing information relevant to the predictionof wireless communication system performance. This information includesbut is not limited to the location, and the physical and electromagneticproperties of obstructions within the 3-D environment, where anobstruction could be any physical object or landscape feature within theenvironment (e.g., walls, doors, windows, buildings, trees, terrainfeatures, etc.), as well as the position and physical and electricalproperties of communications hardware to be used or simulated in theenvironment.

[0061] The designer identifies the location and type of all wirelesscommunication system equipment within the 3-D environmental database.This point-and-click process involves the designer selecting the desiredcomponent from a computer parts database and then visually positioning,orienting, and interconnecting various hardware components within the3-D environmental database to form complete wireless communicationsystems. The preferred embodiment of the computer parts database is morefully described below. The resulting interconnected network of RFhardware components (commonly known as a wireless distributed antenna)is preferably assembled using either a drag and drop technique or a pickand place and is graphically displayed overlaid upon the 3-Denvironmental database, and utilizes electromechanical informationavailable for each component via the parts list library in order tofully describe the physical operating characteristics of the wirelesscommunication system (e.g., the system noise figure, antenna radiationcharacteristics, frequencies, etc.). This information is directlyutilized during the prediction of wireless system performance metricsand is discussed later.

[0062] The present invention represents a dramatic improvement overprior art by providing the design engineer with instant feedback onwireless system performance metrics as the user alters the physicallocation of switches, routers, repeaters, transducers, couplers,transmitters, receivers, and other components described elsewhere orwhich would be known by those of skill in the art, or otherwise modifiesthe antenna system. The current embodiment utilizes the concept of watchpoints to implement this. Multiple methods of display and a wide rangeof settings are available for the designer to use in optimizing antennaplacement based upon wireless system performance values displayed ateach watch point. One skilled in the art could see how watch points asthey are herein described could apply to different implementations aswell. Descriptions of the different techniques implemented in thecurrent invention are provided in the following sections.

[0063] One form of the method allows the designer to dynamically alterthe position, orientation, and/or type of any hardware componentutilized within a wireless communication system modeled in a 3-Denvironmental database. Using this technique, the designer may identifywatch points representing critical areas of the 3-D environment thatrequire a certain level of wireless system performance. Such areas couldinclude the office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company, aconference room, a city park, or the office of a surgeon on call. Nextthe designer selects the component of interest within the wirelesssystem. In the present invention, this would be the selection of anantenna or leaky feeder antenna, for example, but one skilled in the artcould see that this could be any physical antenna system component. Oncethe desired hardware component is selected, the designer may beginmaking changes to the state of the component. For example, by moving themouse or other input device cursor, the user could effectively relocatethe selected component to another position in the 3-D environmentaldatabase. This involves the user visually moving the mouse cursor, inreal-time, such that the cursor resides in another portions of the 3-Ddatabase. The present invention recalculates wireless system performancebased upon RSSI, SIR, SNR, FER, BER, or other metric, incorporating theuser's desired change in the position of the selected component.

[0064] The calculations combine the electromechanical properties of eachcomponent in the wireless communication system (e.g., noise figure,attenuation loss or amplification, antenna radiation pattern, etc.), theelectromagnetic properties of the 3-D environmental database, and radiowave propagation techniques (detailed later) to provide an estimate ofthe wireless system performance. Calculations are performed at eachwatch point the user has identified, and the graphical display of thewatch point is updated to reflect the result of the calculations.

[0065] As the user moves the mouse cursor and effectively repositionsthe selected component, the overall performance of the wirelesscommunication system may be altered. For example, if the selectedcomponent is an antenna, repositioning the antenna changes theorigination point of radio wave signals being broadcast from theantenna, and can thus dramatically change the reception of adequate RFsignal throughout the environment. Because the graphical display of thewatch points is updated in real-time as the selected component isrepositioned, the designer is provided instant feedback on the revisedwireless system performance, and can make design decisions based uponthe viability of multiple proposed locations and/or wireless systemconfigurations rapidly. While many of the concepts discussed above dealwith wireless networks, one of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that similar features may be implemented for optical,infrared, or baseband networks that use fixed or portable terminals.

[0066] In addition to the functionality described above, the designer isfree to add additional watch points in any location within the 3-Denvironmental database at any time during a communication systemperformance prediction. In the current implementation, the designerclicks with the mouse or other input device on the desired location inthe 3-D environmental database to create a new watch point at theselected location that is then updated throughout the remainder of theperformance prediction.

[0067] In a similar fashion, the preferred embodiment enables a designerto reorient a selected antenna in real-time with respect to anycoordinate axis while the graphical display of all drawing watch pointsis updated to reflect the revised wireless system performance metrics asa result of the new antenna orientation.

[0068] In a similar fashion, a designer may replace an existing hardwarecomponent in the wireless communication system with any componentavailable from the parts list library. In doing so, the changes to thewireless communication system performance as a result of the replacementis reflected in the graphical display of the watch points.

[0069] In a similar fashion, a designer may selectively include orexclude any subset of components within the wireless communicationsystem while selecting components to involve in the wireless systemperformance calculation. For example, a designer could consider theeffect of repositioning a single antenna, or could consider thecombined, composite effect on the watch points as individual antennasare repositioned within a wireless system network consisting ofadditional, fixed antenna placements.

[0070] In a similar fashion, the designer may choose to allow watchpoints to be mobile. That is, instead of positioning a watch point andhaving the graphical display of the watch point reflect the changingwireless system performance metric, the designer could instead identifya watch point whose position is mobile but whose graphical displayremains constant. In this scenario, the position of the watch pointfluctuates along a linear path traced between itself and the currentlocation of the mouse cursor until a position within the 3-D database isfound at which the desired level of wireless system performance metricis maintained. For example, the designer may create a watch point tomaintain a constant graphical display synonymous with −65 dBm RSSI. Asthe user repositions, reorients, or otherwise alters components withinthe wireless communication system, the watch point alters its positionwithin the 3-D environmental database until a position is found at whicha calculated value of −65 dBm RSSI is determined.

[0071] In addition to enabling a designer to reposition, reorient,and/or replace wireless system components in real-time while visualizingthe impact of such changes at selected watch points within the 3-Ddatabase, the user may choose to maintain the current configuration ofthe wireless communication system and instead create a single, mobilewatch point. The watch point thus created is dynamically repositionedwithin the 3-D environmental database in real-time by the user by simplyrepositioning the mouse cursor. Positioning the mouse cursor at a givenlocation within the 3-D environmental database is equivalent torepositioning the watch point to match that location. In the presentinvention, this technique is used to allow the mobile watch point torepresent a mobile user in the 3-D environmental database. As in theprevious scenarios, the graphical display of the watch point is updatedin real-time to reflect predicted wireless system performance metrics atthe watch point position. The designer is free to select individualsubsets of wireless system components to involve in the calculations ofwireless system performance. Thus the graphical display of the watchpoint may reflect the performance metrics specific to individualwireless system components or the composite performance metrics due tothe combined effect of multiple selected components. For example, theradiating power of multiple antennas can be combined into a singlemeasure of received signal strength.

[0072] The two primary uses of the single mobile watch point techniqueinvolve the analysis of the forward link (or down link) and reverse link(or up link) of the wireless system. The forward link of a wirelesscommunication system involves the flow of radio signals from the fixedwireless system to the mobile user, while the reverse link of a wirelesscommunication system involves the flow of radio signals from the mobileuser to the fixed wireless system. In the present embodiment, linesegments are drawn between the mobile watch point (which is also themouse cursor) to each antenna the designer has included in the wirelesssystem performance prediction. In addition, the individual or subsets ofantennas identified as having the best wireless system performancecharacteristics are differentiated from the other antennas by alteringthe color and/or other physical appearance of the connector linesbetween the antennas and the watch point. As the designer thenrepositions the mouse cursor, the selected location for the watch pointin the 3-D database, and therefore the effective location of the mobileuser, is adjusted to match that of the mouse cursor. The wireless systemperformance metrics are recalculated at the watch point location for theantenna components selected by the designer, and the graphical displayof the watch point and all connector lines is updated accordingly.

[0073] Another improvement over the prior art is the ability todynamically model the repositioning of leaky feeder antennas andvisualize the effects on wireless system performance. A leaky feederantenna can be thought of as a cable with many holes regularly spacedalong its length. Such a cable would experience a signal loss oremanation at every hole and would thus radiate RF energy along theentire cable length. Leaky feeder antenna, or lossy coaxial cable as itis sometimes referred, can be thought of as analogous to a soaker hosewhere water flows in at the head of the hose and leaks out through aseries of holes. The present method allows the designer to dynamicallyre-position a portion of the leaky feeder antenna and see in real timethe effects on wireless system performance at the specified watchpoints. In the preferred embodiment, distributed antenna systems can beanalyzed in terms of the contributions of individual antennas orcollections of antennas taken as a whole, providing “composite” resultsin the latter case.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown the general method of theinvention. Before one can run an automated predictive model on a desiredenvironment, a 3-D electronic representation of that environment must becreated in function block 10. The preferred method for generating a 3-Dbuilding or environment database is disclosed in the concurrently filed,copending application Ser. No. 09/318,841. The resulting definitionutilizes a specially formatted vector database format and compriseslines and polygons rather than individual pixels (as in a rasterformat). The arrangement of lines and polygons in the databasecorresponds to obstructions/partitions in the environment. For example,a line in a database could represent a wall, a door, tree, a buildingwall, or some other obstruction/partition in the modeled environment.

[0075] From the standpoint of radio wave propagation, each of theobstruction/partition in an environment has several electromagneticproperties. When a radio wave signal intersects a physical surface,several things occur. A certain percentage of the radio wave reflectsoff of the surface and continues along an altered trajectory. A certainpercentage of the radio wave penetrates through or is absorbed by thesurface and continues along its course. A certain percentage of theradio wave is scattered upon striking the surface. The electromagneticproperties given to the obstruction/partitions define this interaction.Each obstruction/partitions has parameters that include an attenuationfactor, surface roughness, and reflectivity. The attenuation factordetermines the amount of power a radio signal loses upon striking agiven obstruction. The reflectivity determines the amount of the radiosignal that is reflected from the obstruction. The surface roughnessprovides information used to determine how much of the radio signal isscattered and/or dissipated upon striking an obstruction of the giventype.

[0076] Once this 3-D database of obstruction data has been built, thedesign engineer performs computer aided design and experimentation of awireless network to be deployed in the modeled environment in functionblock 11, to be described later. Cost and wireless system performancetarget parameters, transmitters, channel lists, placement options andantenna systems are all taken into account by the present invention.

[0077] In order to fine tune the experimental predictions, RFmeasurements may be optionally taken in function block 12. A preferredmethod for collecting RF measurements is disclosed in copendingapplication Ser. No. 09/221,985, supra. If necessary, databaseparameters that define the partition/obstruction characteristics may bemodified using RF measurements as a guide to more accurately representthe modeled 3-D environment in function block 13.

[0078] The results of the predictive models may be displayed in 3-Doverlaid with the RF measurement data, if any, at any time in functionblock 14. The design engineer analyzes the differences in the predictedand actual measurements in function block 15, and then modifies the RFpredictive models, if needed, in function block 16. If necessary, the3-D environment database may be modified based on the actualmeasurements to more accurately represent the wireless system coverageareas in function block 10, and so on iteratively until done. Thedesigner can optionally continue with any other step in this process, asdesired.

[0079] The method of invention may be used in a variety of waysdepending on the goals of the design engineer. FIG. 6 shows a variant onthe above method used to generate estimates based on RF measurements. A3-D database of the environment must still be generated in functionblock 10. Field measurements are collected in function block 12. The RFmeasurement data are then incorporated into the drawing of theenvironment in function block 61. The design engineer may then generateestimates of power level and location of potential transmitters infunction block 62.

[0080]FIG. 7 shows a variant of the method used to achieve optimalprediction accuracy using RF measured data. Once again, a 3-D databaseof the environment is generated in function block 10. However, beforecollecting field measurements, the design engineer creates a channelplan with “virtual” macrocell locations and power levels in functionblock 71. The field measurements are then collected in function block 12and the “virtual” locations of interfering transmitters can bedetermined in function block 72. The best propagation parameters arethen matched with measured data from the interferers in function block73.

[0081] A more detailed description of the method for prediction used inthe present invention is now described. Referring to FIG. 8, the 3-Denvironment definition is input in function block 801. The first steprequired before predicting the performance of the wireless communicationsystem is to model the wireless system with the 3-D environment.Antennas and types of related components and locations are selected infunction block 802. The desired antennas are chosen from a parts list ofwireless hardware devices that may include a variety of commerciallyavailable devices. Each antenna is placed at a desired location withinthe environment, for instance, in a specific room on a floor of abuilding or on a flag pole in front of a building. A number of othercomponents may be created and placed either within or connected to eachantenna system. These components include, but are not limited to:cables, leaky feeder antennas, splitters, connectors, amplifiers, or anyother user defined component.

[0082]FIGS. 9A and 9B show a method for adding antenna systems to adesired environment and generally for running trade-off analyses. First,the designer positions and defines outdoor wireless communicationsystems, if necessary in function block 901. Next, the designerpositions and defines indoor base stations in function block 902. Themethods of function blocks 901 and 902 differ in that the components ofindoor wireless system will typically be different than an outdoorwireless system. In both cases, the designer is guided through a seriesof pull down menus and point-and-click options to define the location,type of hardware components and associated performance characteristicsof the antenna systems. This data is stored in a database, that alsocontains cost and manufacturing specific information to produce acomplete Bill of Materials list automatically, to be viewed at any time.

[0083] In order to fully describe a communication system in a newlycreated (or to be modified) wireless or wired system, the designerspecifies the air interface/technology and frequencies associated withnetwork protocol, physical media, or a network such as a wireless systemin function block 903. For a wireless system, the designer then lays outthe full antenna system for the wireless network in function block 904.Components such as base stations, cabling, connectors, amplifiers andother items of the antenna system are then selected from a parts listlibrary containing information on commercially available hardwarecomponents in function block 905. Next, the air interface and technologyspecific parameters are assigned and channel frequencies are customizedfor the wireless system in function block 906. The channel frequenciesare selected from pre-assigned channel clusters and assigned to thewireless system in function block 907. An antenna system is thenconfigured in function block 908, selecting antennas from the parts listlibrary as described above. The antennas are placed on the floor plan infunction block 909 using a point and click of a mouse or otherpositioning device to visually place each component in the 3-D database.

[0084] At this or any time after a component has been placed on a floor,the designer may view a bill of materials in function block 910. Ifnecessary, the parts list may be modified to add or delete components ormodify a component's cost or performance characteristics in functionblock 911. Components may be replaced or swapped for similar componentsfor a quick trade-off analysis of both wireless system performance andoverall cost in function block 912. Components may be added, deleted ormodified to more fully define the wireless communications system infunction block 913. The designer may redisplay the view of theenvironment including the wireless communication system, RF measurementdata, and/or wireless system predicted performance results in a varietyof forms, including 2-D, 3-D wireframe, 3-D wireframe with hidden lines,3-D shaded, 3-D rendered or 3-D photorealistic rendering, at any time infunction block 914.

[0085] Typically, a designer will add network system components insuccession, where each newly placed system component connects to apreviously positioned component in the network. For a wireless network,one should note that cables and leaky feeder antennas are defined by aseries of vertices connected by lines representing lengths of cabling asthey are placed on a floor. This is also done for fiber optic andbaseband cables. Cables and leaky feeders may also stretch verticallyacross building floors, down the sides of buildings, through elevatorshafts, etc., simply by adding a vertex in the cable, changing thevertical height, and then continuing to place cable in new locations, infunction block 915. The designer does not need to manipulate a 3-D viewof the environment and attempt to guide the cables vertically in the 3-Dmodel. The designer may repeat any of the steps in this process, in anyorder, in the present invention.

[0086] Referring again to FIG. 8, once the 3-D environment has beendefined and antennas, cables and other objects which are used in networkdesign have been selected and located, the wireless system performanceprediction models may be run in function block 803. A variety ofdifferent such models are available and may be used in succession, oralone to generate a sufficient number of “what-if” scenarios forpredicting and optimizing of antenna placements and componentselections.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 10, a method for predictive modeling accordingthe invention is shown. First, the designer selects the desired wirelesssystem performance prediction model in function block 1001. Preferredmodels are:

[0088] Wall/floor Attenuation Factor, Multiple Path Loss Exponent Model,

[0089] Wall/floor Attenuation Factor, Single Path Loss Exponent Model,

[0090] True Point-to-Point Multiple Path Loss Exponent Model,

[0091] True Point-to-Point Single Path Loss Exponent Model,

[0092] Distance Dependent Multiple Breakpoint Model,

[0093] Distance Dependent Multiple Path Loss Exponent Model,

[0094] Distance Dependent Single Path Loss Exponent Model, or

[0095] other models as desired by the design engineer.

[0096] Also, models for propagation of optical and baseband signals,such as loss, coupling loss, distance-dependent loss, and gains arecontemplated.

[0097] The physical and electrical properties of obstructions in the 3-Denvironment are set in function block 1002. Although not all parametersare used for every possible predictive model, one skilled in the artwould understand which parameters are necessary for a selected model.Parameters that may be entered include:

[0098] Prediction configuration—RSSI, C/I, and/or C/N (carrier to noiseratio);

[0099] Mobile Receiver (RX) Parameters—power, antenna gain, body loss,portable RX noise figure, portable RX height above floor;

[0100] Propagation parameters—

[0101] Partition Attenuation Factors

[0102] Floor Attenuation Factors

[0103] Path Loss Exponents

[0104] Multiple Breakpoints

[0105] Reflectivity

[0106] Surface Roughness

[0107] Antenna Polarization

[0108] other parameters as necessary for a given model

[0109] The designer may save sets of physical, electrical and aestheticparameters for later re-use. If such a parameter set has been previouslysaved, the designer may load that set in function block 1003, therebyoverwriting any parameters already in selected.

[0110] A designer then may select a number of watch points in functionblock 1004 to monitor for wireless system performance. Referring now toFIG. 11, there is shown a simplified layout of a floor plan with a basestation 1100. The designer may use a mouse or other positioning deviceto point and click to any number of locations in the floor plan toselect critical areas, or watch points, for monitoring. Here, forinstance, four watch points 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 have beenselected.

[0111]FIG. 12 shows a display, that lists by location, watch pointsselected for the current prediction. The designer may then selectpredictions for RSSI, signal to interference ratio (SIR) or signal tonoise ratio (SNR). In addition, the designer can see changes inpredicted values for each watch point in real time as the mouse ismoved, or can choose to select new antenna positions specifically byclicking on a new location. As the designer repositions the mousecursor, the antenna(s) selected prior to initiating the prediction areeffectually repositioned and/or relocated according to position of thecursor. Once all watch points are selected, the prediction model is run.An alternative embodiment is that watch points could be entered andmodified on the fly, as the prediction model is being run, rather thandefined only prior to running the model. Another alternative embodimentis that RF values at the watch points are updated continuously as themouse is repositioned, without a click being necessary.

[0112]FIG. 13 shows the floor plan of FIG. 11 with the initial RSSIvalues for each watch point 1101, 1102, 1103 and 1104 also shown. Thedesigner may move the antenna 1100 to a new location and monitor thesame watch points for coverage. FIG. 14 shows the floor plan of FIGS. 11and 13 with the antenna 1100 moved to a new location 1400. The RSSIvalues at each watch point 1101, 1102, 1103, and 1104 are automaticallyupdated with values associated with the new location of the antenna.Alternatively, the designer may choose to modify the components withinthe antenna system 1100 for performance or cost reasons. FIG. 15 showsthe floor plan of FIGS. 11 and 13 with a base station 1100 a at the samelocation, but with a higher performance antenna component. The RSSIvalues at each watch point 1101, 1102, 1103, and 1104 are againautomatically updated with values associated with the new wirelesssystem performance parameters.

[0113] Referring again to FIG. 10, for RF coverage models, the coverageareas and values are displayed in function block 1005. If so desired,the designer modifies the electrical parameters of the obstructions, ormodified components of antenna systems, or modifies antenna systemlocations or orientation, etc. in function block 1006 before runninganother prediction model in function block 1001.

[0114] Referring again to FIG. 8, after running a number of models, thedesign engineer may determine that RF coverage is optimal in decisionblock 804. If so, then depending on the results either a change in thelocation of antenna(s) and components will be desired or possibly just asubstitution of components without a location change. For instance, eventhough the coverage may be more than adequate, the total cost of thewireless system could be prohibitive. A method for optimizing the costsusing a dynamic, real time, bill of materials management system isdisclosed below. Regardless, if the wireless network as currentlymodeled is not deemed optimal, then the method would continue again infunction block 802 to re-select the components.

[0115] Once the design is as desired, then the 3-D database holds all ofinformation necessary to procure the necessary components in the Bill ofMaterials. The locations of each component are clearly displayed, and avisual 3-D representation can be viewed as a guide.

[0116] Once the communications system design is as desired, the databaseholds all of information necessary to procure the necessary componentsin the Bill of Materials. The locations of each component are clearlyshown, overlaid with the physical environment, and a visual 3-Drepresentation can be viewed as a guide.

Generating and Managing a Bill of Materials

[0117] As described above, in more detail, the invention uses 3-Dcomputer aided design (CAD) renditions of a building, collection ofbuildings, or any other such environment that contains informationsuitable for the prediction of a communications system performance. Inan RF system, estimated partition electrical properties can be extractedfrom radio frequency measurements already published, and/or specified bythe designer at any time. Once the appropriate electrical properties arespecified, an unlimited number of RF sources can be placed in the 3-Ddatabase, and received signal strengths intensity (RSSI) orcarrier-to-interference (C/I) ratios can be plotted directly onto theCAD drawing.

[0118] The 3-D environment database could be built by a number ofmethods, the preferred method being disclosed in the co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 09/318,841. Traffic capacity analysis, frequencyplanning, and Co-channel or adjacent channel interference analysis canbe performed concurrently with the prediction of RSSI, C/I and otherwireless system performance measures. The antenna system and bill ofmaterials could be built by a number of methods. The preferred methodfor building the antenna system is described above.

[0119] As the designer builds a model of a wireless communicationssystem in a specified environment, as described above, a full bill ofmaterials is maintained for every drawing in the environment. That is,each drawing may contain its own unique set and arrangement of antennas,feed systems and related components representing a variation in thedesign of a wireless communication system. These components are drawnfrom a global parts list library. A number of methods could be used togenerate the global parts list library, and it would be apparent to oneskilled in the art that varying formats could be used.

[0120] In the present invention, the design engineer selects a specificwireless system hardware component from the parts list library usingpull-down menus and displayed dialog windows. The selection criteria fora particular component is wireless system design dependent, butgenerally involves the desirability of a component based upon itselectrical characteristics and potential effect on wireless systemperformance, material cost, and/or installation cost. The presentinvention enables the designer to narrow the focus of componentselection to only those devices contained within the parts list librarythat have the desired characteristics. For example, the design engineermay choose to design a wireless system using components from a specificmanufacturer or set of manufacturers that have a desirable material costand/or electrical characteristics. In doing so, only those devices thatmeet the requested criteria are displayed for selection from dialogwindows in the present invention.

[0121] In certain instances, the operating frequency of a wirelesscommunication device may define the electrical characteristics of thedevice. For example, depending on the frequency of the radio signalpassing through an amplifier, the amplifier could have a varying amountof gain. Likewise, the radiating characteristics of antennas differdepending upon the frequency of the radio signal being broadcast.Coaxial cables, connectors, splitters, and other wireless communicationsystem hardware components can also share this property of frequencydependent performance. To accommodate this, the parts list library fromwhich the wireless communication system components are drawn may containfrequency specific information for each component. For example, anamplifier may have its gain specified for both 800 megahertz and 1900megahertz. If this information is available within the parts listlibrary for a component, the present invention automatically utilizesthe frequency varying performance characteristics of the wirelesshardware components within the performance prediction calculations asdescribed below. The frequency of operation, in this case, is obtainedfrom the transmitting source that is providing the radio signal to thewireless hardware component. For example, the base station or repeaterto which the wireless hardware component is attached will have a rangeof frequencies or channels that it operates upon. In this case, thefrequency of operation of the repeater or base station determines thefrequency of the radio signal input into the wireless hardwarecomponent, and the frequency of the radio signal is in turn used todetermine the operating characteristics of the component.

[0122] In addition to frequency dependent characteristics, many wirelesscommunication devices have limitations in the manner in which they maybe connected within an antenna system. Certain wireless communicationhardware components are incompatible with other components and may notbe connected together. For example, a fiber optic cable may not attachdirectly to a coaxial cable. Instead, a fiber optic cable would firstconnect to an optical-to-radio frequency converter device, whichconverts the data stream from optical into a radio signal. The coaxialcable would then connect to the output port on the optical-to-radiofrequency converter. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, suchconnectivity restrictions are specified within the parts list library.Thus, the system automatically utilizes the information to prevent thedesigner from interconnecting incompatible components. If the designerattempts to interconnect two incompatible components, the presentinvention provides appropriate warning messages to notify the designerof the error.

[0123] Practicing communication network engineers spend tremendousamounts of time in the design and deployment phase trying to configureproper connections between communication components, such as coaxialcables, optical cables, adapters, antennas, routers, twisted paircables, leaky feeder antennas, base stations, base station controllers,amplifiers, attenuators, connector splitters, antenna systems,repeaters, switches, wireless access points, cable boxes, signalsplicers, transducers, couplers, splitters, convertors, firewalls, powerdistribution lines, hubs, and other communication components that areknown and understood by network engineers working in the cable, optical,wireless, networking and telephone industries. Often, variousmanufacturers make different brands of equipment, that are designed forparticular frequency bands, mounting conditions, temperature conditions,and connector types. For example, radio frequency (RF) components oftenhave N-connectors or SMA connectors which may not be interconnectedwithout a proper adapter, and cables must have the proper type ofconnector in order to properly interconnect with other components.Similar connector types and sizes of connectors and cables exist forvarious makes and models of optical fiber cables, baseband twisted pairand CAT-3 and CAT-5 cables, radio frequency connectors and cables, andall other components listed above. Furthermore, network designers areoften concerned about specific cost limitations, not just of a singledevice, but a connection of components, and often the entire systemdesign. What's more, designers must avoid the improper mismatch ofphysical attributes, such as the improper connection of a very heavycomponent (say a switch box or a power amplifier) to a lightweightmounting fixture or a lightweight cable (say RG-58/u) that is unable tosupport the weight, temperature, or windload, for example. Also,particular network installations may be required in environments thathave small size, low temperature, low or unusual power, or astheticrequirements, or other particular requirements that take into accountthe physical attributes of the components within the network design. Oneskilled in the art of design and deployment of communication networks isaware of other examples as taught here that typically arise in practicalnetwork design and deployment.

[0124] In addition, engineers and technicians often have particularbrands or makes of products that they are required or wish to use in allof their designs. For example, their employer may insist that onlycertain brands be used for all deployment and design. Or, specific modelnumbers or series of part numbers may be required in a design. Thespecification and proper matching of brands or part numbers for thedesign of a network, which we term “brand choice”, is important fordesired results in many practical settings. Furthemore, componentswithin a communications network must have compatable power connections(e.g., an RF distribution system would want to have active componentsthat all use the same DC voltage, so that multiple power distributionlines would not have to be run), and components must be properly matchedin size, weight, mounting configuration, impedance, and color. Also,designers must be sure that when they create a network design,components which they specify must have comparable maintenancerequirements. For example, a designer should not create a network thatrequires some components to have constant maintenance, whereas othersrequire only infrequent inspection and tuning (a mismatch in maintenancerequirements).

[0125] On an even broader scale, it is helpful to have a simple checkingmethod for making sure that components are properly designed to matchthe gross physical media of the various components. Some networkcomponents use and transfer or process optical frequencies (lightwaves),while others use radio frequency (RF), such as millimeter, UHF, VHF, ormicrowave signals, or baseband signals (VHF and below). Telephone cable,10baseT, twisted pair or CAT-5 type signaling is typically baseband, forexample. Components which are modeled in the present invention can takein optical signals and transform them into RF or baseband signals.Similarly, some components take in RF signals and convert them tooptical signals. In the design and deployment of a network, it is vitalthat optical cables be connected directly to optical sources, as opposedto RF or baseband signal sources. Otherwise, a network will not work.Other devices which take input signals that are at RF and produce outputsignals that are at optical frequencies exist. In addition, componentsthat convert or transduce baseband-to-optical, or any other of a numberof combinations of these various gross frequency bands. Physical media,which also may be called modality, may include the cables used in thenetwork design, or may actually describe the processing components thatreceive and transmit at the different gross frequencies.

[0126] Components may not have compatible frequency ranges of operation,so that one part is designed for 800-950 MHz while another is designedfor 1900-2100 MHz (or 200 nm vs. 300 nm, etc.). Components might haveincompatibilities at the level of specific connectors, so that aconnector on one component could connect with specific connectors on aspecific component, but not with other connectors. Components also mayrequire the connection of other specific components directly to them, orthe presence of specific other components in the antenna system, RFdistribution system, and power supply distribution system, in order tofunction correctly. Conversely, components may not allow the presence ofspecific other components, or of components from some manufacturers, tobe connected directly to them, or even to be present anywhere in thedesign.

[0127] All of the above network design considerations are important fora designer or installer. Also, all of the individual connectors on eachcomponent within a network, as well as each frequency or gross frequencyband used by each component and each connector on each component, needsto be properly tracked and must all be used and properly terminated foran effective network.

[0128] The above issues are all addressed in the present invention.Failure to meet any of the above desired criteria can be considered tobe a “fault”, wherein a fault can be detected automatically by thepresent invention in the design or deployment phase. Thus, desired cost,proper connectivity, proper matching of physical attributes, and properconnection of brands, part numbers, or manufacturers, can be readilydetected and properly implemented with ease. Other faults, which followthe same logic as described above would fall within the scope of thsinvention. When proper criteria are met, a fault will not be indicated,and the components within the design are used for computation ofpredictions of network performance. Also, the predictions of performancein a proper design may be compared directly to other designs within thesame environment, as well as with actual measured field data.

[0129] Similarly, many wireless communication devices have limitationson the signal power that may be input into them. For example, anamplifier may only function properly if the input signal to theamplifier does not exceed a certain level of power. In the presentinvention, the power of a signal supplied to a wireless hardwarecomponent is determined to be the output power of the radio signalleaving the device to which wireless hardware component is attachedwithin the antenna system. Typically, wireless communication systemhardware components have gains and/or losses such that when a radiosignal passes through a component, the radio signal is either amplifiedor attenuated depending on the operating characteristics of thecomponent and the frequency of the radio signal. For example, referringto FIG. 4, one of the omnidirectional antennas 403 a is attached to acoaxial cable 402, which in turn is attached to a transmitter 107 via asplitter 401. If the transmitter 107 is transmitting with a signal powerof 10 dBm, and the total loss of the splitter 401 is 4 dB, the inputsignal power into the coaxial cable 402 is 6 dBm (the signal power ofthe transmitter minus the total loss of the splitter). Similarly, if thetotal loss of the cable 402 is 2 dB, the input signal power into theantenna 403 a is 4 dBm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention,the parts list library contains information regarding the restriction ofinput signal power into a component. This allows the system of thepresent invention to notify the user of the fault in the design viadisplayed computer dialog boxes if, given the present configuration ofthe antenna system that has been visually configured and interconnectedin the 3-D environmental model, that the input signal power into any ofthe wireless communication system hardware components exceeds the limitsspecified in the parts list library. This immediate feedback isinvaluable to the designer and provides instant recognition of potentialproblems in the configuration of the antenna system.

[0130] Similarly, many cable components used in wireless communicationsystems have limitations on the total length of any single segment ofthe cable. For example, a single segment of a specific fiber optic cablemay not have a length exceeding 500 feet in order to maintain theintegrity of the signal passing through it. In the preferred embodiment,the parts list library will contain such length limitations specifiedfor cabling components. Therefore, if the designer visually configures asegment of cabling within a wireless communication system such that thetotal length of the segment exceeds the maximum cable length specifiedfor the cable component within the parts list library, a warning messageconcerning this fault in the design is displayed to the designer viacomputer generated dialog boxes stating the error. The total length ofthe cable segment is determined from the manner in which the designerhas positioned the cable within the 3-D environmental database. Forexample, referring again to FIG. 4, the length of the coaxial cables 402in the figure is determined on the basis of their physical placement andorientation within the 3-D environmental model. This immediate feedbackprovides invaluable information to a wireless system designer as itprevents potential errors in the wireless communication system design.The maximum length restriction applies to all varieties of cablingcomponents, such as coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, leaky feederantennas, and any other type of wireless hardware cable.

[0131] Other limitations of a component may be imposed. The componentmay need to be within a certain distance from a base station, regardlessof intervening components. A component may need to be a certain heightabove ground level, within a certain distance from a wall (internal orexternal) or from a high-voltage power supply source, or placed in aroom of sufficient size. A component may be illegal for use in a givenlocation, or unavailable from the manufacturer from a given orderinglocation. A component may be too large to fit through existing aperturesproviding access to an indoor location as modeled in the 3-D environmentdatabase above. A component may be too heavy for a floor, or toolightweight for an unattached position. A component may be the wrongsize, color, or shape. A component may be unsuitable for environmentalconditions at a given indoor or outdoor location. Components made byspecific manufacturers may be unsuitable. Components exceeding aper-component price limit may be unsuitable for a given design; suchlimits may be set for a given type of component e.g. amplifier, antenna,or cable, or may be set for any type of component. One skilled in theart could formulate many other obvious attributes that could also bechecked for faults in a design, in the same manner.

[0132] A component may be marginally compatible with a given antennasystem and RF distribution system for a given site.Manufacturer-specified warnings, maintained with other componentcharacteristics in the component library, could be deliveredappropriately for these situations. For example, a manufacturer mayspecify that a given component may be used at a given power level andperform properly, but that the engineer should be warned that thecomponent will have a reduced operational lifetime, or may perform in asub-optimal manner, or cause damage to other connected parts, if used atthe current input signal strength level. One skilled in the art wouldunderstand that this extends to other fault warnings about othermarginally suitable components.

[0133] The present invention stores these fault warnings and therelevant conditions under which the warnings apply, in the parts listlibrary, and automatically compares the conditions in which a componentis placed in an antenna system and RF distribution system in a 3-D modelof a wireless network site, and if the conditions match, displays afault warning dialog window (not shown) to the user containing themanufacturer's warning, which must be dismissed and/or printed beforethe engineer is allowed to proceed with the design.

[0134] In the present invention, a cost limitation may be imposed on agiven design, such that when the engineer places a component which wouldcause the total cost of the installation, or a portion of theinstallation (which is tracked in real time as indicated above) toexceed the limit, a fault warning is given. At this point, componentswhich are relatively expensive, or inexpensive components appearingrepeatedly in the design, might be identified automatically by thesystem as candidates for replacement for cheaper parts.

[0135]FIG. 19 shows a high level schematic of one mechanism which may beused to provide the design engineer with information on systemperformance and cost information. In block 1800, he selects componentswhich will be used in the computerized model of the physical environmentin which the communications network is or will be installed. There willbe a plurality of different types of components which can be selected(e.g., splitters, antennas, transmitters, base stations, cables, etc.),and there will be a plurality of models of the types of componentsselected (e.g., various types of fiber optic cables, coaxial cables,antennas, etc.). The components will have various attributes 1802 (e.g.,type of signal carried (i.e., optical or radiowave), maximum propagationlength (for cables), etc.), frequency characteristics 1804 (e.g.,electrical properties of a component at two or more frequencies, etc.),and cost 1806 information associated with one or more components whichare selected in decision block 1800. The selected components will thenbe displayed on the computerized representation of the physicalenvironment in which the communications system is or will be installedin block 1808. The system will automatically determine, based on theattributes 1802, whether the components selected can properly worktogether as intended by the designer or whether the components willsatisfy all of the demands required of them in the communications systemdesigned by the designer or any other error which may be present in thecommunications network at decision point 1810. If the communicationsnetwork will not perform properly, the designer will be notified of thefault(s) in the design by a display on the screen, audible warning, orother effective means at block 1812. This will allow the designer to goback and select more suitable components. If there are no faults in thedesign proposed by the designer, one or more prediction models will berun at block 1814, and the results of these calculations will bedisplayed to the designer at block 1816. If changes in frequencyparameters are to be considered in the prediction models, this can bedone at block 1818. If desired, the cost of the componentry used in thecommunications network designed by the designer can be provided in abill of materials at 1820.

[0136] In addition, in the preferred embodiment the parts list librarycontains specifications for compound components, hereafter referred toas “component kits.” A component kit is a predefined group of selectindividual wireless communication components which may or may not bepartially or wholly interconnected and arranged. Component kits arespecified separate from a 3-D environmental model and are not related tothe physical layout of a facility. For example, a component kit couldconsist of a specific splitter connected with a specific cable, which inturn is connected with a specific antenna. The component kit does notdefine where in the 3-D environmental model the splitter, cable, andantenna are positioned, but simply identifies that they are connected orassembled together. The designer may then select the component kititself in exactly the same manner as any other individual hardwarecomponent and position the complete kit within the 3-D environmentalmodel. Thus, by selecting the kit and positioning it within the 3-Denvironmental model, the designer has automatically selected andpositioned the splitter, cable, and antenna.

[0137] An important and novel capability of the present invention is theability to provide communication network performance predictions thatuse the component kits, and to allow such predictions to be comparedwith measured network data. In practice, actual communication networksmay be configured using system components which are configured in aspecific manner, and this specific physical and electricalrepresentation may be done approximately or completely in its entiretyby a component kit. Component kits also contain much more detailedinformation of each component or subsystem within the kit, such asphysical media specifications for proper gross frequencyinterconnection, physical attributes, cost, depreciation and maintenanceschedule information, so that proper interconnections within a kit, andfrom one or more kits to another kit, or from one or more kits to anetwork, may be made without a “fault”, as described herein.Measurements made from actual systems comprised of components that aremodeled either exactly or approximately in a component kit within thepresent invention may be displayed, stored, and compared directly topredictions made by systems designed with the component kit.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 20, there is shown a representation of thecomponent kit computer editing window in the preferred embodiment of theinvention. In FIG. 20, a component kit named “Component Kit #1” 1001 isshown. The component kit represents five individual components that areinterconnected in a certain fashion. A coaxial cable 1002 is connectedwith a splitter 1003. One output connector of the splitter connects toan antenna 1004, while the other output connects to a leaky feederantenna 1005. The leaky feeder antenna then terminates 1006. Thecomputer editor window 1007 graphically portrays the interconnection ofthe various components, and enables the designer to add or removecomponents to the component kit. Once created, the component kit 1001can be selected and positioned within the 3-D environmental model justas any individual component. For example, FIG. 21 shows each of thecomponents 1002-1006 of component kit 1001 positioned in one room of athree dimensional floor plan. The design engineer can then connect othercomponents in the communications network, but also may select othergroups of components or “component kits” for use in the facility definedby the three dimensional floor plan (or multistory facility or campuswide communications network). This enables the designer to quickly placemultiple components in the 3-D environmental model by enabling themultiple components to be selected as placed as a single component.

[0139] Once a desired component is selected by pointing and clickingwith a mouse or other input device (components and component kits may beimported, exported, and exchanged electronically and textually betweenusers in the preferred embodiment of the invention), the design engineermay position the component within the three dimension environmentaldatabase. This process involves the design engineer using the mouse orother input device to visually identify the desired location for thecomponent by clicking (or otherwise identifying) positions within the3-D environmental database. For example, an antenna component could beplaced within a specific room of a building, atop a flag pole on theside of a building, in the center of a park, or any other locationdeemed reasonable by the designer. In similar fashion, hardwarecomponents that span distances (e.g. coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,leaky feeder antenna, or any component having substantial length) areselected and positioned within the 3-D environment by clicking with themouse or other input device to identify the vertices (or end points) ofthe component where each pair of vertices are connected by a timesegment representing a portion of cable. Thus, while certain components,such as point antennas or splitters, for example, require only a singlepoint in the 3-D environment to identify placement in the wirelesscommunication system, other components such as distribution cables ordistribution antennas require the identification of multiple pointsjoined by line segments to identify placement. In the present invention,unique graphic symbols are utilized to represent each wireless systemcomponent and overlaid onto the three-dimensional environmental databaseenabling the designer to visualize the wireless communication system asit would exist in the physical world. As an example of the graphicaldisplay and shown only in two dimensions for convenience, FIG. 4displays a base station 107 connected via two coaxial cables 402 to twoindoor point antennas 403 a and 403 b.

[0140] The present embodiment of the invention provides and linksinformation relating to wireless system component dependence. Suchdependencies may include but are not limited to impedance matching ofadjoining components, maximum run length, proper termination, or someother fault, as described herein. Certain components in the parts listlibrary may require pre-existing components to have been positionedwithin the 3-D environmental database before they themselves may beselected and added to the wireless system. For example, a splitter orother device designed to interconnect two or more independent componentsmay require that an existing component be present in the threedimensional database for the splitter to be connected with. In theprevious embodiment of the invention, if the designer chooses to place ahardware component within the 3-D environmental database, and thedesired component is dependent upon some other device currently placedin the 3-D database, the designer is prompted through a selection windowto identify the dependent component and the selected component ispositioned accordingly. In the previous example of the splittercomponent, if the designer chooses to connect the splitter onto the endof an existing cable component by identifying the cable component withthe mouse or other input device, the position of the splitter within thethree-dimensional database is automatically assigned to be the end ofthe identified cable. In this way the invention helps prevent the userfrom creating faulty designs. Wireless system components that do nothave such dependencies (e.g., base station transceivers) may be freelypositioned anywhere within the 3-D environmental database that is deemedsuitable by the designer. As this description is specific to oneparticular implementation, one skilled in the art could see howdifferent implementations could be developed and practiced within thescope of this invention.

[0141] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, if the wirelesscommunication hardware components have information specified within theparts list library detailing restrictions on, for example, maximum inputsignal power, maximum length, or connectivity restrictions, the presentinvention will notify the designer immediately if any of theserestrictions or limitations are exceeded during the course of thedesign. This notification of a potential fault occurs via computergenerated dialog boxes containing textual warning messages detailing therestriction or limitation being exceeded with the present configurationof the wireless communication system within the 3-D environmental model.

[0142] Using the preferred embodiment of the invention, a designer canmodel and represent, visually as well as mathematically, complexwireless communication systems involving any number of individualhardware components selected from the parts list library, interconnectedwith and linked to one another to form complete antenna systems. As eachcomponent has associated characteristics regarding electrical properties(e.g. gain, noise figure, attenuation) and cost, the addition, removal,or change of any component directly impacts both the performance of thewireless system and the overall system cost. With the preferredembodiment of the invention, this information is updated in real-time asthe designer makes changes to the wireless system. If a wirelesscommunication system includes a specific hardware component, the presentinvention retrieves the associated electromechanical characteristics andother pertinent information from the parts list library entry that hasbeen specified for the component. This information is stored in adatabase and is then used to quantify the effect that the component hason various aspects of wireless system design parameters or performance.For example, if the parts list library information for a specific cableindicates that the attenuation loss of the cable is 3.5 dB per 100meters, and the designer has added a 200 meter segment of the cable tothe wireless communication system, the present invention combines theinformation regarding the placement and length of the cable in the 3-Denvironmental database with the attenuation loss information from theparts list library to determine a total attenuation loss of 7 dB for thecable. Furthermore, the noise figure and other related qualities of thecable is also computed based upon well known communication theory. Ifthe designer then adds an amplifier to the wireless system and connectsit onto the end of the cable as described above, the invention retrievesinformation regarding the amplifier from the parts list library todetermine overall gain of the wireless distribution system. If, forinstance, the selected amplifier has an associated gain of 10 dB andsome specified noise figure, the present invention combines thecharacteristics of the interconnected cable and amplifier to determine atotal gain of 3 dB for the combined components, and a new system noisefigure. If the designer edits or alters component information in theparts list library, this is automatically reflected in the wirelesssystem performance prediction. For example, if the amplifier in theexample above has the gain associated with it edited in the parts listlibrary and changed from 10 dB to 15 dB, the combined systemcharacteristics, which may include but are not limited to system gainand system noise figure, of the cable and amplifier from the example areautomatically recalculated, resulting in an overall gain of 8 dB insteadof 3 dB. Similarly if the cable is repositioned such that its overalllength is altered or replaced with a different component from the partslist library, the effect of doing so is automatically recalculated anreflected in all future operations.

[0143] As mentioned previously, the Parts List Library preferablycontains information regarding the frequency dependent nature of awireless system component, the operating characteristics of thecomponent utilized during the calculation of gains, losses, noisefigure, or any other qualities that utilize the frequency of the inputsignal into the component to determine the specific set of operatingcharacteristics for the component. If the component does not have a setof parameters defined for the desired operating frequency, the presentinvention searches for and uses the set of operating parametersspecified for the frequency closest to the actual frequency of the inputsignal. This is a very powerful feature of the present invention as itenables a designer to select components for use in a wirelesscommunication system without the need to worry about the operatingparameters of the component relative to the operating frequency of thewireless communication system. The present invention automatically usesthe best set of frequency dependent parameters specified for eachwireless hardware component based on the frequency of the input signalto the component.

[0144] The Parts List Library, or component library, of the presentinvention also contains information regarding operating characteristicsof a component which depend on some combination of the frequency of theinput signal to the component, the connector on the component to whichthe input is applied or through which output is passed, and thedirection of the signal, i.e., forward link from the base station to themobile receiver or reverse link back to the base station from the mobilereceiver. The preferred embodiment specifies a coupling loss thatapplies to a particular component, for a particular frequency range andmodality, for a particular connector on the component, for a particulardirectionality of signal (i.e., forward link or reverse link). Adifferent coupling loss is specified explicitly (or may be derivedautomatically) for each combination of connector, supported frequencyband (of which a given component may have many), and directionality.These values are preferably applied automatically in real time to theaforementioned system performance predictions, according to the activefrequency of the signal arriving at and/or leaving a component, theconnector on which the modeled signal arrives at and/or leaves thecomponent, and whether the forward link or reverse link performance isbeing evaluated. One skilled in the art could implement additionalspecifications dependent on combinations of the frequency, connector,directionality, or other aspects of the signal applied to a component.

[0145] Although the given example is in terms of simple gains and lossesof the individual wireless components, one skilled in the art couldapply this same method to any other electrical, electromechanical,financial, aesthetic or other quality associated with components in theparts list library and the overall system in a similar fashion.

[0146] A preferred Parts List Library is designed to be generic andapplicable to any type of wireless communication system component orwireless communication system design methodology. There are eight basiccategories of components in the preferred parts list library utilized inthe preferred embodiment, although more categories could be added, asdesired:

[0147] 1. Amplifiers/Attenuators—generally speaking, devices that eitherboost or decrease the strength of radio wave signals;

[0148] 2. Connectors/Splitters—generally speaking, devices that connectone or more components to one or more additional components;

[0149] 3. Cables—various types of cabling (e.g., fiber optic cable,coaxial cable, twisted pair cable, etc);

[0150] 4. Manufacturer-Specified Point Antennas—any antenna that ismanufactured and whose manufacturer has supplied information with regardto the radiation pattern of the antenna. The radiation pattern of anantenna describes the manner in which radio signals are radiated by theantenna. Antenna manufacturers supply radiation pattern informationregarding their antennas so that wireless system designers can maximizethe effectiveness of antenna deployments;

[0151] 5. Generic Point Antennas—any generic or idealistic antenna (thatis, an antenna that may not be physically realizable or has a genericradiation pattern);

[0152] 6. Leaky Feeder Cabling/Antennas—a type of antenna that takes theform of a specialized coaxial cable;

[0153] 7. Base Station/Repeater—the controlling portion of the wirelesscommunication system. The base station manages all communication takingplace in the wireless network;

[0154] 8. Component kit—one or more individual components interconnectedor grouped interconnected together to form a compound component (thispreferably being done within the discretion of the design engineer byselecting amongst all or some of the components in the Parts ListLibrary to define one or more component kits made of selectedcomponents). The component kit is referenced as a single hardwarecomponent and enables the designer to quickly add and manipulatemultiple wireless hardware components. It preferably has no directlyassigned electromechanical properties defined in the Parts List Library;however, the individual hardware components contained within thecomponent kit retain all electromechanical properties assigned to themwithin the Parts List Library; and

[0155] 9. Other—Any component that does not belong in one of the abovecategories.

[0156] Each component has a variety of associated values. These include,but are not limited to:

[0157] Manufacturer Name;

[0158] Manufacturer Part Number;

[0159] User-supplied Description;

[0160] Frequency range at which part has been tested;

[0161] Attenuation/Amplification;

[0162] Number of Connections;

[0163] Physical Cost (material cost of component);

[0164] Installation Cost;

[0165] Antenna Radiation Pattern;

[0166] Maximum input signal power;

[0167] Maximum length (for cables);

[0168] Modality of component type (e.g., optical, radio signal, etc.)

[0169] Note that many or all of the associated values listed above couldvary depending on the frequency of the input signal to the component.They may also depend on the combination of input signal frequency,connector on the component to which the signal is applied or via whichthe signal exits the component, and whether the signal is a forward linksignal originating at the base station, or reverse link signaloriginating from a user of the system. The parts list library utilizedin the preferred embodiment of the invention allows theamplification/attenuation, radiation pattern, and maximum input signalpower to be identified for specific frequencies of frequency ranges foreach wireless hardware component. The coupling loss varies by frequency,connector, and direction of signal (forward or reverse link), in thepreferred embodiment.

[0170] Base stations and repeater components have a number of additionalparameters associated with them, including, but not limited to:

[0171] Technology/Air Interface—identifies the wireless technologyemployed by the base station (e.g., AMPS (“analog cellular”), IS-136(“digital cellular”), IEEE 802.11 (“wireless LAN”), etc.);

[0172] Frequency/Channel Assignments—identifies the radiofrequencies/channels this base station can utilize; and

[0173] Transmit Power—the amount of power the base station isbroadcasting.

[0174] An excerpt from the preferred embodiment of a parts list is shownbelow. <ComponentSpec> <databaseKey>5110</databaseKey><name> <! [CDATA[Ultraflexible Series Cable] ] > </name><type>CABLE</type> <manufacturer> < ! [CDATA[Bob's Cables andConnectors, Inc.] ] > </manufacturer> <partNumber> < ! [CDATA[Model21-A] ] > </partNumber> <purchaseCost>0</purchaseCost><installationCost>0</installationCost><maximumLength>none</maximumLength><fileDescriptor> <![CDATA[N/A] ] > </fileDescriptor><otherInfo> < ![CDATA[N/A] ] > </otherInfo><connectorCount>2</connectorCount> <bandList> <BAND> <modality>R</modality>  <minFreq>4e+008</minFreq> <maxFreq>4e+008</maxFreq> <inputSignalMaxFwd>none</inputSignalMaxFwd><inputSignalMaxRev>none</inputSignalMaxRev><outputSignalMaxFwd>none</outputSignalMaxFwd><outputSignalMaxRev>none</outputSignalMaxRev><insertionLoss>7.42</insertionLoss> <associatedConnector><number>0</number> <couplingLossFwd>0</couplingLossFwd><couplingLossRev>0</couplingLossRev> </associatedConnector><associatedConnector> <number>1</number><couplingLossFwd>0</couplingLossFwd><couplingLossRev>0</couplingLossRev> </associatedConnector> </BAND><BAND>  <modality>R</modality>  <minFreq>4.5e+008</minFreq> <maxFreq>4.5e+008</maxFreq> <inputSignalMaxFwd>none</inputSignalMaxFwd><inputSignalMaxRev>none</inputSignalMaxRev><outputSignalMaxFwd>none</outputSignalMaxFwd><outputSignalMaxRev>none</outputSignalMaxRev><insertionLoss>7.87</insertionLoss> <associatedConnector><number>0</number> <couplingLossFwd>0</couplingLossFwd><couplingLossRev>0</couplingLossRev> </associatedConnector><associatedConnector> <number>1</number><couplingLossFwd>0</couplingLossFwd><couplingLossRev>0</couplingLossRev> </associatedConnector> </BAND><BAND> <modality>R</modality> <minFreq>7e+008</minFreq><maxFreq>7e+008</maxFreq> <inputSignalMaxFwd>none</inputSignalMaxFwd><inputSignalMaxRev>none</inputSignalMaxRev><outputSignalMaxFwd>none</outputSignalMaxFwd><outputSignalMaxRev>none</outputSignalmaxRev><insertionLoss>10</insertionLoss> <associatedConnector><number>0</number> <couplingLossFwd>0</couplingLossFwd><couplingLossRev>0</couplingLossRev> </associatedConnector><associatedConnector> <number>1</number><couplingLossFwd>0</couplingLossFwd><couplingLossRev>0</couplingLossRev> </associatedConnector> </BAND></bandList> </ComponentSpec>

[0175] This excerpt from the parts list of the present invention is thecomplete specification of a single component. The excerpt is in XMLformat, and each element of the specification is labeled with XML tags.The <ComponentSpec> tag begins the component, the <databaseKey> tagindicates the internal database key used to index the part, and the</databaseKey> ends the value for the internal database key. Similarly,the specifications include the manufacturer identified by<manufacturer>, the part name identified by <name>, and so on. There isalso a list of frequency bands, marked off by a <bandList> tag. Eachband, demarcated by a <BAND> tag, contains specifications which applyonly when the signal applied to the component is closest to theparticular band. For a band, the modality (e.g. optical, RF, baseband,CAT-5) is indicated with a <modality> tag, and symbolized by ‘R’ for RF,‘O’ for optical, etc. The minimum and maximum frequency that bound theband are marked by <minFreq>and < maxFreq>tags; the signal maxima forinput and output, forward and reverse link, respectively, for the bandare also defined, as is the insertion loss for the band. Finally, a listof connectors supported by the band in question appears, marked by an<associatedConnector> tag. Each set of specifications for an associatedconnector include the connector number as an identifier, and a separatecoupling loss for the forward link and for the reverse link, identifiedby the <connectorNumber>, <couplingLossFwd>, and <couplingLossRev> tags.

[0176] Thus the present invention defines specifications dependent onthe frequency alone; dependent on the frequency and the component'sconnector; and dependent on the frequency, the connector, and the linkdirection, whether forward or reverse.

[0177] The parts list can be easily modified by a design engineer as newcomponents are placed on the market, removed from the market orre-priced. The ability to maintain a unique equipment list for eachdrawing enables the designer to carry out rapid design analyses tocompare and contrast the performance and cost of different vendorcomponents. The impact of utilizing a specific component in terms ofboth cost and wireless communication system performance can be seenimmediately using the present invention. Information that can be trackedwith the bill of materials includes the manufacturer and part number,physical and installation cost, RF loss characteristics, connections,and the frequencies for which the component is valid. In addition, arich set of customization features is utilized to enable the designer totailor the parts list library to suit the needs of the targetapplication. Moreover, as components with associated length data, suchas cables or leaky feeder antennas, are created, stretched, moved ormodified, their associated costs and impact on wireless systemperformance are automatically updated in the bill of materials toaccount for the change in length. Furthermore, the parts list is storedas an integral part of the drawing database, allowing the user to recalland archive a system design and all of its particulars. In addition, thewireless communication system performance may be recalculatedimmediately, using either a standard link budget equation, noise figureequation, or some other metric such as bit error rate or networkthroughput. This recalculation uses the specific, perhaps frequencyspecific electrical specifications of each component in the system,which are also stored in the bill of materials.

[0178] Referring again to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG.16, there is shown an example of a bill of materials summary for adrawing. A description of the base station “MACROCELL” 1610 is shown toidentify the antenna system for which the summary is shown. The firstcomponent 1611 is a PCN Panel 1710-1990 92 Deg 9.00 dB Gain pointantenna manufactured by Allen Telecom. One should note that thecomponent cost 1612, sub-total cost 1613 and total system cost 1614 is$0.00. This shows that the designer has not yet updated the parts listlibrary with current costs. When the list has been updated, the summarywill automatically show component costs as well as sub-totals and totalsfor all base stations and components in the drawing.

[0179]FIG. 17 show a bill of materials where costs have been enteredinto the parts list database. Another component 1720 has been added tothe “MACROCELL” base station, also. The costs of each component 1612 aand 1721 are now shown. Sub-total 1613 a and Total costs 1614 a are alsoshown.

[0180] Referring now to FIG. 18, the general method of the invention isshown. As previously described, first the designer must create adatabase defining the desired environment in function block 180. Apreferred method is disclosed in the co-pending application Ser. No.09/318,841. A database of components is then developed in function block181. In the case of wireless communication networks, a preferred methodis described above. The creation of these components will automaticallygenerate a parts list categorized by base station and antenna system. Abill of materials may be displayed at any time in function block 182.

[0181] In order to optimize the design of the wireless communicationssystem and ensure adequate antenna coverage, the designer runs a seriesof prediction models and optimization techniques in function block 183.A preferred method for running predictions is described above. Thismethod allows the designer to see, in real-time, changes in coverage,generally, and for specifically chosen watch points, as antennas arerepositioned or reoriented. The designer may choose to add, delete orsubstitute components in function block 184 and then re-run the modelsagain in function block 183. Each time the designer makes a modificationin the system to improve performance, the bill of materials isautomatically updated. The designer may run the prediction models infunction block 183, and determine if the wireless system, as designed,is adequate in terms of performance and cost. If not, the designer canchoose to modify components using cost or component performanceconsiderations. Performance parameters may be entered to enable thedesigner to choose substitute components from a list that contains onlythose components that would not degrade the performance of the overallsystem. Note that in the preferred embodiment, the prediction or systemperformance models are recomputed upon user demand, but that it would beapparent to one skilled in the art to also have models recomputedinstantly (“on-the-fly”) as new components are added or subtracted fromthe bill of materials.

[0182] The integration of the bill of materials and componentperformance specifications is key to providing a quick and efficientmethod to design high performance wireless communication networks thatare within budget. In addition to individual component physical andinstallation costs, a collection of components that may beinterconnected or possibly used within a common network may also bespecified. Such components from a component kit may be used in a design,and also may be considered for physical and installation cost. Moreover,within a bill of materials containing a list of network components,there may also be a tabulation, computation and storage of otherimportant cost information for some of the components, such as costdepreciation values, or schedules for depreciation of particularcomponents or groups of components. Such information may be availablefor only certain components within a network or within a parts listprovided by a particular manufacturer. In addition, maintenance scheduleinformation, which specifies the particular period or dates during whichroutine maintenance is required, may be included within the descriptionof components within a bill of materials, to help the maintenance staffto properly maintain the designed network.

[0183] While the invention has been described in terms of its preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is as follows:
 1. An apparatus for designing ordeploying a communications network, comprising: a means for providing(I) a computerized model which represents a physical environment inwhich a communications network is or will be installed, saidcomputerized model providing a display of at least a portion of saidphysical environment, and (II) performance attributes for a plurality ofsystem components which may be used in said physical environment, anumber of said system components having associated with them frequencydependent characteristics wherein said frequency dependentcharacteristics define electrical properties of said system componentsat at least two different frequencies; a means for selecting specificcomponents from said plurality of system components for use in acommunications network; a means for representing said selected specificcomponents in said display; and a means for running prediction modelsusing the computerized model and said performance attributes to predictperformance characteristics of said communications network comprised ofsaid selected specific components, said prediction models utilizing saidfrequency dependent characteristics in calculations which predict saidperformance characteristics of said communications network.
 2. Anapparatus for designing or deploying a communications network,comprising: a means for providing (I) a computerized model whichrepresents a physical environment in which a communications network isor will be installed, said computerized model providing a display of atleast a portion of said physical environment, and (II) performanceattributes for a plurality of system components which may be used insaid physical environment, a number of said system components havingassociated with them frequency dependent characteristics, and whereinsaid system components allow one or more of the following: (a)converting between radio frequency and optical frequency, (b) convertingbetween optical frequency and baseband frequency, and (c) convertingbetween radio frequency and baseband frequency; a means for selectingspecific components from said plurality of system components for use ina communications network; a means for representing said selectedspecific components in said display; and a means for running predictionmodels using the computerized model and said performance attributes topredict performance characteristics of said communications networkcomprised of said selected specific components, said prediction modelsutilizing said frequency dependent characteristics in calculations whichpredict said performance characteristics of said communications network.3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said performance attributes providedby said means for providing include those of system components thatallow for (a) converting between radio frequency and optical frequency.4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said performance attributes providedby said means for providing include those of system components thatallow for (b) converting between optical frequency and basebandfrequency.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said performanceattributes provided by said means for providing include those of systemcomponents that allow for (c) converting between radio frequency andbaseband frequency.
 6. A method for designing or deploying acommunications network, comprising the steps of: providing acomputerized model which represents a physical environment in which acommunications network is or will be installed, said computerized modelproviding a display of at least a portion of said physical environment;providing performance attributes for a plurality of system componentswhich may be used in said physical environment, a number of said systemcomponents having associated with them frequency dependentcharacteristics, and wherein said system components operate at at leastone of optical frequencies, radio frequencies, and baseband frequencies;selecting specific components from said plurality of system componentsfor use in a communications network; representing said selected specificcomponents in said display; running prediction models using thecomputerized model and said performance attributes to predictperformance characteristics of said communications network comprised ofsaid selected specific components, said prediction models utilizing saidfrequency dependent characteristics in calculations which predict saidperformance characteristics of said communications network.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein said representing step includes representinginterconnections of specific components in said display.
 8. The methodof claim 7 further comprising the step of providing an indication thattwo or more specific components should not be interconnected.
 9. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising the step of providing an indicationthat said selected specific components do or do not meet a designcriteria for said communications network.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein said design criteria is a performance parameter.
 11. The methodof claim 9 wherein said design criteria is a cost parameter.
 12. Themethod of claim 9 wherein said design criteria is a component brandcriteria.
 13. The method of claim 6 wherein said frequency dependentcharacteristics define electrical properties of said system componentsat at least two different frequencies.
 14. The method of claim 6 furthercomprising the step of generating a bill of materials containing costinformation for said selected specific components utilized in saidcommunications network.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said costinformation comprises a maintenance schedule for selected specificcomponents.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein said cost informationcomprises an installation cost for selected specific components.
 17. Themethod of claim 14 wherein said cost information comprises a purchaseprice for selected specific components.
 18. The method of claim 6wherein said display is three dimensional.
 19. The method of claim 6wherein said system components allow converting between radio frequencyand optical frequency.
 20. The method of claim 6 wherein said systemcomponents allow converting between optical frequency and basebandfrequency.
 21. The method of claim 6 wherein said system componentsallow converting between radio frequency and baseband frequency.
 22. Themethod of claim 6 further comprising the step of identifying errors inphysical media connections for two or more specific components selectedin said selecting step.
 23. An apparatus for designing or deploying acommunications network, comprising: a means for providing (I) acomputerized model which represents a physical environment in which acommunications network is or will be installed, said computerized modelproviding a display of at least a portion of said physical environment,and (II) performance attributes for a plurality of system componentswhich may be used in said physical environment, a number of said systemcomponents having associated with them frequency dependentcharacteristic, and wherein said system components operate at at leastone of optical frequencies, radio frequencies, and baseband frequencies;a means for selecting specific components from said plurality of systemcomponents for use in a communications network; a means for representingsaid selected specific components in said display; and a means forrunning prediction models using the computerized model and saidperformance attributes to predict performance characteristics of saidcommunications network comprised of said selected specific components,said prediction models utilizing said frequency dependentcharacteristics in calculations which predict said performancecharacteristics of said communications network.
 24. The apparatus ofclaim 23 wherein said means for representing represents interconnectionsof specific components in said display.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24further comprising a means for providing an indication that two or morespecific components should not be interconnected.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 24 further comprising a means for providing an indication thatsaid selected specific components do or do not meet a design criteriafor said communications network.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 whereinsaid design criteria is a performance parameter.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 26 wherein said design criteria is a cost parameter.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 26 wherein said design criteria is a component brandcriteria.
 30. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a means forgenerating a bill of materials containing cost information for saidselected specific components utilized in said communications network.31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said cost information comprises amaintenance schedule for selected specific components.
 32. The apparatusof claim 30 wherein said cost information comprises an installation costfor selected specific components.
 33. The apparatus of claim 30 whereinsaid cost information comprises a purchase price for selected specificcomponents.
 34. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said display is threedimensional.
 35. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a meansfor identifying errors in physical media connections for two or moreselected specific components.
 36. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein saidfrequency dependent characteristics provided by said means for providingdefine electrical properties of said system components at at least twodifferent frequencies.
 37. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said systemcomponents provided by said means for providing allow one or more of thefollowing: (a) converting between radio frequency and optical frequency,(b) converting between optical frequency and baseband frequency, and (c)converting between radio frequency and baseband frequency.
 38. Theapparatus of claim 37 wherein said performance attributes provided bysaid means for providing include those of system components that allowfor (a) converting between radio frequency and optical frequency. 39.The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said performance attributes providedby said means for providing include those of system components thatallow for (b) converting between optical frequency and basebandfrequency.
 40. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said performanceattributes provided by said means for providing include those of systemcomponents that allow for (c) converting between radio frequency andbaseband frequency.
 41. An interactive method of designing acommunication system comprising the steps of: identifying by a designerlocations, termed “watch points”, in a displayed environment wherecertain levels of system performance are desirable or critical; modelingby the designer a communication system using a graphical user interface(GUI) for an environmental database, wherein at least a portion of saidcommunication system may be displayed as being interconnected in thedisplayed environment; performing a performance prediction on themodeled communication system; and providing feedback on a display to thedesigner regarding a predicted performance metric at the watch pointsthroughout an environment of the modeled communication system.
 42. Theinteractive method of designing a communication system recited in claim41, wherein the watch points are points which the designer identifies byvisually pointing and/or clicking with a mouse or other input device atthe desired location in the displayed environment.
 43. The interactivemethod of designing a communication system recited in claim 41, whereinthe feedback provided to the designer at each watch point is a computednumber displayed as text that represents one or more performancemetrics.
 44. The interactive method of designing a communication systemrecited in claim 43, wherein the performance metric is one or more ofreceived signal strength (RSSI), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frame error rate (FER), bit error rate(BER), packet error rate (PER), throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noisefigure, noise, gain, attenuation, and SINR.
 45. The interactive methodof designing a communication system recited in claim 41, wherein thefeedback provided to the designer at each watch point is a small regionof solid color whose shade and/or tint varies relative to one or moreperformance metrics.
 46. The interactive method of designing acommunication system recited in claim 45, wherein the performance metricis one or more of received signal strength (RSSI),signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frameerror rate (FER), bit error rate (BER), packet error rate (PER),throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noise figure, noise, gain, attenuation,SINR.
 47. The interactive method of designing a communication systemrecited in claim 41, wherein the feedback provided to the designer ateach watch point is in the form of colored lines linking the watch pointlocation with the location of one or more antennas in the communicationsystem, where the color, thickness, and/or other displayed aspect of theconnecting line varies relative to one or more performance metrics, oris dependent upon whether a forward or reverse link is being analyzed.48. The interactive method of designing a communication system recitedin claim 41, further comprising the steps of: modifying by the designerthe modeled communication system; and simultaneously performing aperformance prediction on the modified modeled communication system andproviding feedback on the display to the designer regarding thepredicted performance at the watch points.
 49. The interactive method ofdesigning a communication system recited in claim 41, further comprisingthe steps of: moving by the designer the position of one or more watchpoints in the displayed environment; and simultaneously performing aperformance prediction on the communication system and providingfeedback on the display to the designer regarding the predictedperformance at the watch points.
 50. The interactive method of designinga communication system recited in claim 49, wherein the movement of awatch point represents a mobile user of the communication system. 51.The interactive method of claim 41 wherein said environmental databaseis three dimensional.
 52. The interactive method of claim 41 whereinsaid communication system modeled in said modeling step includes one ormore wireless communication components.
 53. A system for interactivedesign of a communication system comprising: means for identifying by adesigner locations, termed “watch points”, in a displayed environmentwhere certain levels of system performance are desirable or critical;means for modeling by the designer a communication system using agraphical user interface (GUI) for an environmental database, wherein atleast a portion of said communication system may be displayed as beinginterconnected in the displayed environment; means for performing aperformance prediction on the modeled communication system; and meansfor providing feedback on a display to the designer regarding apredicted performance metric at the watch points throughout anenvironment of the modeled communication system.
 54. The system of claim53, wherein the watch points are points which the designer identifies byvisually pointing and/or clicking with a mouse or other input device atthe desired location in the displayed environment.
 55. The system ofclaim 53, wherein the feedback provided to the designer at each watchpoint is a computed number displayed as text that represents one or moreperformance metrics.
 56. The system of claim 55, wherein the performancemetric is one or more of received signal strength (RSSI),signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frameerror rate (FER), bit error rate (BER), packet error rate (PER),throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noise figure, noise, gain, attenuation,and SINR.
 57. The system of claim 53, wherein the feedback provided tothe designer at each watch point is a small region of solid color whoseshade and/or tint varies relative to one or more performance metrics.58. The system of claim 57, wherein the performance metric is one ormore of received signal strength (RSSI), signal-to-interference ratio(SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frame error rate (FER), bit errorrate (BER). packet error rate (PER), throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay,noise figure, noise, gain, attenuation, and SINR.
 59. The system ofclaim 53, wherein the feedback provided to the designer at each watchpoint is in the form of colored lines linking the watch point locationwith the location of one or more antennas in the communication system,where the color, thickness, and/or other physical aspect of theconnecting line varies relative to one or more performance metrics, oris dependent upon whether a forward or reverse wireless system channelis being analyzed.
 60. The system of claim 53, further comprising: meansfor modifying by the designer the modeled communication system; andmeans for simultaneously performing a performance prediction on themodified modeled communication system and providing feedback on thedisplay to the designer regarding the predicted performance at the watchpoints.
 61. The system of claim 53, further comprising: means for movingby the designer the position of one or more watch points in thedisplayed environment; and means for simultaneously performing aperformance prediction on the communication system and providingfeedback on the display to the designer regarding the predictedperformance at the watch points.
 63. The system of claim 62, wherein themovement of a watch point represents a mobile user of the communicationsystem.
 64. The system of claim 53 wherein said environmental databaseis three dimensional.
 65. The system of claim 53 wherein saidcommunication system modeled in said modeling step includes one or morewireless communication components.
 66. A method for designing ordeploying a communications network, comprising the steps of: providing acomputerized model which represents a physical environment in which acommunications network is or will be installed, said computerized modelproviding a display of at least a portion of said physical environment;providing performance attributes for a plurality of system componentswhich may be used in said physical environment, a number of said systemcomponents having associated with them frequency dependentcharacteristics; selecting specific components from said plurality ofsystem components for use in a communications network; representing saidselected specific components in said display; incorporating measuredperformance attributes in said physical environment into saidcomputerized model; and running prediction models using the computerizedmodel and one or more of said performance attributes provided in saidproviding step and said measured performance attributes incorporated insaid incorporating step to predict performance characteristics of saidcommunications network comprised of said selected specific components.67. The method of claim 66 wherein said representing step includesrepresenting interconnections of specific components in said display.68. The method of claim 67 further comprising the step of providing anindication that two or more specific components should not beinterconnected.
 69. The method of claim 66 further comprising the stepof providing an indication that said selected specific components do ordo not meet a design criteria for said communications network.
 70. Themethod of claim 69 wherein said design criteria is a performanceparameter.
 71. The method of claim 69 wherein said design criteria is acost parameter.
 72. The method of claim 69 wherein said design criteriais a component brand criteria.
 73. The method of claim 66 wherein saidfrequency dependent characteristics define electrical properties of saidsystem components at at least two different frequencies.
 74. The methodof claim 66 further comprising the step of generating a bill ofmaterials containing cost information for said selected specificcomponents utilized in said communications network.
 75. The method ofclaim 74 wherein said cost information comprises a maintenance schedulefor selected specific components.
 76. The method of claim 74 whereinsaid cost information comprises an installation cost for selectedspecific components.
 77. The method of claim 74 wherein said costinformation comprises a purchase price for selected specific components.78. The method of claim 66 wherein said display is three dimensional.79. The method of claim 66 wherein said system components allowconverting between radio frequency and optical frequency.
 80. The methodof claim 66 wherein said system components allow converting betweenoptical frequency and baseband frequency.
 81. The method of claim 66wherein said system components allow converting between radio frequencyand baseband frequency.
 82. The method of claim 66 further comprisingthe step of identifying errors in physical media connections for two ormore specific components selected in said selecting step.
 83. Anapparatus for designing or deploying a communications network,comprising: a means for providing (I) a computerized model whichrepresents a physical environment in which a communications network isor will be installed, said computerized model providing a display of atleast a portion of said physical environment, (II) performanceattributes for a plurality of system components which may be used insaid physical environment, a number of said system components havingassociated with them frequency dependent characteristics, and (III)measured performance attributes for said physical environment; a meansfor selecting specific components from said plurality of systemcomponents for use in a communications network; a means for representingsaid selected specific components in said display; and a means forrunning prediction models using the computerized model and one or moreof said performance attributes for said system components or saidmeasured performance attributes for said environment to predictperformance characteristics of said communications network comprised ofsaid selected specific components.
 84. The apparatus of claim 83 whereinsaid means for representing represents interconnections of specificcomponents in said display.
 85. The apparatus of claim 84 furthercomprising a means for providing an indication that two or more specificcomponents should not be interconnected.
 86. The apparatus of claim 84further comprising a means for providing an indication that saidselected specific components do or do not meet a design criteria forsaid communications network.
 87. The apparatus of claim 86 wherein saiddesign criteria is a performance parameter.
 88. The apparatus of claim86 wherein said design criteria is a cost parameter.
 89. The apparatusof claim 86 wherein said design criteria is a component brand criteria.90. The apparatus of claim 83 further comprising a means for generatinga bill of materials containing cost information for said selectedspecific components utilized in said communications network.
 91. Theapparatus of claim 80 wherein said cost information comprises amaintenance schedule for selected specific components.
 92. The apparatusof claim 80 wherein said cost information comprises an installation costfor selected specific components.
 93. The apparatus of claim 80 whereinsaid cost information comprises a purchase price for selected specificcomponents.
 94. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said display is threedimensional.
 95. The apparatus of claim 83 further comprising a meansfor identifying errors in physical media connections for two or moreselected specific components.
 96. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein saidfrequency dependent characteristics provided by said means for providingdefine electrical properties of said system components at at least twodifferent frequencies.
 97. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said systemcomponents provided by said means for providing allow one or more of thefollowing: (a) converting between radio frequency and optical frequency,(b) converting between optical frequency and baseband frequency, and (c)converting between radio frequency and baseband frequency.
 98. Theapparatus of claim 97 wherein said performance attributes provided bysaid means for providing include those of system components that allowfor (a) converting between radio frequency and optical frequency. 99.The apparatus of claim 97 wherein said performance attributes providedby said means for providing include those of system components thatallow for (b) converting between optical frequency and basebandfrequency.
 100. The apparatus of claim 97 wherein said performanceattributes provided by said means for providing include those of systemcomponents that allow for (c) converting between radio frequency andbaseband frequency.
 101. A method for designing or deploying acommunications network, comprising the steps of: providing acomputerized model which represents a physical environment in which acommunications network is or will be installed, said computerized modelproviding a display of at least a portion of said physical environment;providing performance attributes for a plurality of system componentswhich may be used in said physical environment, a number of said systemcomponents having associated with them frequency dependentcharacteristics; selecting specific components from said plurality ofsystem components for use in a communications network; representing saidselected specific components in said display; running prediction modelsusing the computerized model and said performance attributes to predictperformance characteristics of said communications network comprised ofsaid selected specific components, said prediction models utilizing saidfrequency dependent characteristics in calculations which predict saidperformance characteristics of said communications network; andevaluating tradeoffs for one or more of cost, performance, and acombination of cost and performance.
 102. The method of claim 101wherein said representing step includes representing interconnections ofspecific components in said display.
 103. The method of claim 102further comprising the step of providing an indication that two or morespecific components should not be interconnected.
 104. The method ofclaim 101 further comprising the step of providing an indication thatsaid selected specific components do or do not meet a design criteriafor said communications network.
 105. The method of claim 104 whereinsaid design criteria is a performance parameter.
 106. The method ofclaim 104 wherein said design criteria is a cost parameter.
 107. Themethod of claim 104 wherein said design criteria is a component brandcriteria.
 108. The method of claim 101 wherein said frequency dependentcharacteristics define electrical properties of said system componentsat at least two different frequencies.
 109. The method of claim 101further comprising the step of generating a bill of materials containingcost information for said selected specific components utilized in saidcommunications network.
 110. The method of claim 109 wherein said costinformation comprises a maintenance schedule for selected specificcomponents.
 111. The method of claim 109 wherein said cost informationcomprises an installation cost for selected specific components. 112.The method of claim 109 wherein said cost information comprises apurchase price for selected specific components.
 113. The method ofclaim 101 wherein said display is three dimensional.
 114. The method ofclaim 101 wherein said system components allow converting between radiofrequency and optical frequency.
 115. The method of claim 101 whereinsaid system components allow converting between optical frequency andbaseband frequency.
 116. The method of claim 101 wherein said systemcomponents allow converting between radio frequency and basebandfrequency.
 117. The method of claim 101 further comprising the step ofidentifying errors in physical media connections for two or morespecific components selected in said selecting step.
 118. The method ofclaim 101 wherein said evaluating step evaluates cost tradeoffs. 119.The method of claim 101 wherein said evaluating step evaluatesperformance tradeoffs.
 120. The method of claim 101 wherein saidevaluating step evaluates both cost and performance tradeoffs.
 121. Anapparatus for designing or deploying a communications network,comprising: a means for providing (I) a computerized model whichrepresents a physical environment in which a communications network isor will be installed, said computerized model providing a display of atleast a portion of said physical environment, and (II) performanceattributes for a plurality of system components which may be used insaid physical environment, a number of said system components havingassociated with them frequency dependent characteristic; a means forselecting specific components from said plurality of system componentsfor use in a communications network; a means for representing saidselected specific components in said display; a means for runningprediction models using the computerized model and said performanceattributes to predict performance characteristics of said communicationsnetwork comprised of said selected specific components, said predictionmodels utilizing said frequency dependent characteristics incalculations which predict said performance characteristics of saidcommunications network; and means for evaluating tradeoffs for one ormore of cost, performance, and a combination of cost and performance.122. The apparatus of claim 121 wherein said means for representingrepresents interconnections of specific components in said display. 123.The apparatus of claim 122 further comprising a means for providing anindication that two or more specific components should not beinterconnected.
 124. The apparatus of claim 121 further comprising ameans for providing an indication that said selected specific componentsdo or do not meet a design criteria for said communications network.125. The apparatus of claim 124 wherein said design criteria is aperformance parameter.
 126. The apparatus of claim 124 wherein saiddesign criteria is a cost parameter.
 127. The apparatus of claim 124wherein said design criteria is a component brand criteria.
 128. Theapparatus of claim 121 further comprising a means for generating a billof materials containing cost information for said selected specificcomponents utilized in said communications network.
 129. The apparatusof claim 128 wherein said cost information comprises a maintenanceschedule for selected specific components.
 130. The apparatus of claim128 wherein said cost information comprises an installation cost forselected specific components.
 131. The apparatus of claim 128 whereinsaid cost information comprises a purchase price for selected specificcomponents.
 132. The apparatus of claim 121 wherein said display isthree dimensional.
 133. The apparatus of claim 121 further comprising ameans for identifying errors in physical media connections for two ormore selected specific components.
 134. The apparatus of claim 121wherein said frequency dependent characteristics provided by said meansfor providing define electrical properties of said system components atat least two different frequencies.
 135. The apparatus of claim 121wherein said system components provided by said means for providingallow one or more of the following: (a) converting between radiofrequency and optical frequency, (b) converting between opticalfrequency and baseband frequency, and (c) converting between radiofrequency and baseband frequency.
 136. The apparatus of claim 135wherein said performance attributes provided by said means for providinginclude those of system components that allow for (a) converting betweenradio frequency and optical frequency.
 137. The apparatus of claim 135wherein said performance attributes provided by said means for providinginclude those of system components that allow for (b) converting betweenoptical frequency and baseband frequency.
 138. The apparatus of claim135 wherein said performance attributes provided by said means forproviding include those of system components that allow for (c)converting between radio frequency and baseband frequency.
 139. Theapparatus of claim 121 wherein said means for evaluating evaluates costtradeoffs.
 140. The apparatus of claim 121 wherein said means forevaluating evaluates performance tradeoffs.
 141. The apparatus of claim121 wherein said means for evaluating evaluates both cost andperformance tradeoffs.
 142. The method of claim 66 wherein said step ofrunning prediction models includes the step of utilizing said frequencydependent characteristics in calculations which predict said performancecharacteristics of said communications network.
 143. The apparatus ofclaim 83 wherein said means for running prediction models utilizes saidfrequency dependent characteristics in calculations which predict saidperformance characteristics of said communications network.
 144. Themethod of claim 14 further comprising the step of generating one or morelink budgets.
 145. The method of claim 144 wherein at least one of saidone or more link budgets uses noise figure data from one or morecomponents.
 146. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step ofgenerating one or more link budgets.
 147. The method of claim 146wherein at least one of said one or more link budgets uses noise figuredata from one or more components.
 148. The method of claim 146 whereinat least one of the one or more link budgets includes a forward link.149. The method of claim 146 wherein at least one of the one or morelink budgets includes a reverse link.
 150. The method of claim 74further comprising the step of generating one or more link budgets. 151.The method of claim 150 wherein at least one of said one or more linkbudgets uses noise figure data from one or more components.
 152. Themethod of claim 66 further comprising the step of generating one or morelink budgets.
 153. The method of claim 152 wherein at least one of saidone or more link budgets uses noise figure data from one or morecomponents.
 154. The method of claim 152 wherein at least one of the oneor more link budgets includes a forward link.
 155. The method of claim152 wherein at least one of the one or more link budgets includes areverse link.
 156. The method of claim 109 further comprising the stepof generating one or more link budgets.
 157. The method of claim 156wherein at least one of said one or more link budgets uses noise figuredata from one or more components.
 158. The method of claim 101 furthercomprising the step of generating one or more link budgets.
 159. Themethod of claim 158 wherein at least one of said one or more linkbudgets uses noise figure data from one or more components.
 160. Themethod of claim 158 wherein at least one of the one or more link budgetsincludes a forward link.
 161. The method of claim 158 wherein at leastone of the one or more link budgets includes a reverse link.
 162. Theapparatus of claim 30 further comprising a means for generating one ormore link budgets.
 163. The apparatus of claim 162 wherein at least oneof said one or more link budgets uses noise figure data from one or morecomponents.
 164. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a meansfor generating one or more link budgets.
 165. The apparatus of claim 164wherein at least one of said one or more link budgets uses noise figuredata from one or more components.
 166. The apparatus of claim 164wherein at least one of the one or more link budgets includes a forwardlink.
 167. The apparatus of claim 164 wherein at least one of the one ormore link budgets includes a reverse link.
 168. The apparatus of claim90 further comprising a means for generating one or more link budgets.169. The apparatus of claim 168 wherein at least one of said one or morelink budgets uses noise figure data from one or more components. 170.The apparatus of claim 83 further comprising a means for generating oneor more link budgets.
 171. The apparatus of claim 170 wherein at leastone of said one or more link budgets uses noise figure data from one ormore components.
 172. The apparatus of claim 170 wherein at least one ofthe one or more link budgets includes a forward link.
 173. The apparatusof claim 170 wherein at least one of the one or more link budgetsincludes a reverse link.
 174. The apparatus of claim 128 furthercomprising a means for generating one or more link budgets.
 175. Theapparatus of claim 174 wherein at least one of said one or more linkbudgets uses noise figure data from one or more components.
 176. Theapparatus of claim 121 further comprising a means for generating one ormore link budgets.
 177. The apparatus of claim 176 wherein at least oneof said one or more link budgets uses noise figure data from one or morecomponents.
 178. The apparatus of claim 176 wherein at least one of theone or more link budgets includes a forward link.
 179. The apparatus ofclaim 176 wherein at least one of the one or more link budgets includesa reverse link.
 180. The apparatus of claim 53 further comprising ameans for providing a bill of materials to the designer based oncomponents in the communications system modeled by said means formodeling.
 181. The apparatus of claim 180 further comprising a means forgenerating one or more link budgets.
 182. The apparatus of claim 181wherein at least one of said one or more link budgets uses noise figuredata from one or more components.
 183. The apparatus of claim 53 furthercomprising a means for generating one or more link budgets.
 184. Theapparatus of claim 183 wherein at least one of said one or more linkbudgets uses noise figure data from one or more components.
 185. Theapparatus of claim 183 wherein at least one of the one or more linkbudgets includes a forward link.
 186. The apparatus of claim 183 whereinat least one of the one or more link budgets includes a reverse link.187. The method of claim 41 further comprising the step of providing abill of materials to the designer based on components in thecommunications system modeled in said modeling step.
 188. The method ofclaim 187 further comprising the step of generating one or more linkbudgets.
 189. The method of claim 187 wherein at least one of said oneor more link budgets uses noise figure data from one or more components.190. The method of claim 41 further comprising the step of generatingone or more link budgets.
 191. The method of claim 190 wherein at leastone of said one or more link budgets uses noise figure data from one ormore components.
 192. The method of claim 190 wherein at least one ofthe one or more link budgets includes a forward link.
 193. The method ofclaim 190 wherein at least one of the one or more link budgets includesa reverse link.
 194. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said performancecharacteristics include a performance metric that is one or more ofreceived signal strength (RSSI), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frame error rate (FER), bit error rate(BER). packet error rate (PER), throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noisefigure, noise, gain, attenuation, and SINR.
 195. The apparatus of claim2 wherein said performance characteristics include a performance metricthat is one or more of received signal strength (RSSI),signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frameerror rate (FER), bit error rate (BER). packet error rate (PER),throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noise figure, noise, gain, attenuation,and SINR.
 196. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said performancecharacteristics include a performance metric that is one or more ofreceived signal strength (RSSI), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frame error rate (FER), bit error rate(BER). packet error rate (PER), throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noisefigure, noise, gain, attenuation, and SINR.
 197. The apparatus of claim83 wherein said performance characteristics include a performance metricthat is one or more of received signal strength (RSSI),signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frameerror rate (FER), bit error rate (BER). packet error rate (PER),throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noise figure, noise, gain, attenuation,and SINR.
 198. The apparatus of claim 121 wherein said performancecharacteristics include a performance metric that is one or more ofreceived signal strength (RSSI), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frame error rate (FER), bit error rate(BER). packet error rate (PER), throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noisefigure, noise, gain, attenuation, and SINR.
 199. The method of claim 6wherein said performance characteristics include a performance metricthat is one or more of received signal strength (RSSI),signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frameerror rate (FER), bit error rate (BER). packet error rate (PER),throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noise figure, noise, gain, attenuation,and SINR.
 200. The method of claim 66 wherein said performancecharacteristics include a performance metric that is one or more ofreceived signal strength (RSSI), signal-to-interference ratio (SIR),signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frame error rate (FER), bit error rate(BER). packet error rate (PER), throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noisefigure, noise, gain, attenuation, and SINR.
 201. The method of claim 101wherein said performance characteristics include a performance metricthat is one or more of received signal strength (RSSI),signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frameerror rate (FER), bit error rate (BER). packet error rate (PER),throughput, E_(c)/I_(o), delay, noise figure, noise, gain, attenuation,and SINR.